Ogun State Government on Monday rejected claims that it halted constituency projects being executed by Senator Gbenga Daniel out of spite, saying the lawmaker is only chasing shadows and blaming others instead of taking responsibility for his actions.
The government explained that Daniel’s ongoing projects in some parts of Ogun East were stopped because they were substandard and failed to meet Federal Government specifications. It noted that it has a constitutional duty to ensure that public projects are done properly and in line with approved standards.
The position of the government was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon Kayode Akinmade.
He said contractors handling projects that did not conform to the Federal Ministry of Works’ specifications were asked to present approved drawings and specifications for the road projects awarded to them.
According to him, this process would enable the Ogun State Ministry of Works to monitor the jobs effectively. He added, “Those contractors who complied have since been given the go ahead to continue with the road projects. At the same time, a designated engineer from the Ogun State Ministry of Works is assigned to conduct routine supervision to enforce compliance with the specifications.”
Akinmade also addressed Senator Daniel’s suspension, stressing that it was strictly a party matter and not a decision of the Dapo Abiodun administration.
He stated that the government could not reinstate Daniel into the Ogun APC fold when it was the party, not the government, that suspended him.
He advised the senator to focus on clearing his name within the party instead of dragging the government into what he described as a simple party affair.
Akinmade said, “It was not the Ogun State Government that suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel; it was the party, APC in his ward, and the suspension was then ratified by the State Working Committee. Before then, the party gave him ample opportunity to defend himself, but he shunned the summons.”
He added that Daniel’s media attacks on the government were misplaced. “That he is launching media attacks on the State Government rather than facing the party that gave him a ticket to contest election, and against which he committed punishable acts, is illogical. It shows that he has no regard for the party or its leadership, and no sense of accountability or responsibility. He is just chasing shadows, blaming everyone but himself because of his huge ego.”
On Daniel’s accusations of persecution by Governor Abiodun, Akinmade described the claims as laughable. He said Daniel continued to conduct himself as though he were still governor of the state, expecting everyone to bow to him regardless of his actions.
He asked why Daniel would claim his projects were stopped simply because he was asked to follow due process. “Is he the only federal lawmaker in Ogun State? Is he the only one executing constituency projects?” he asked.
Akinmade continued, “Why is he the only former governor constantly at war against law and logic in Ogun State, and always staging a pity party using a pliant media whenever he is tasked with taking responsibility for his actions? In Ogun State today, there is peace and stability, unlike his crisis ridden tenure when he was constantly at war with everyone in the State, including members of the state House of Assembly and the state’s representatives in the National Assembly. Daniel just can’t deal with not being in a position to manipulate things to his advantage.”
“He cannot be bigger than the party that gave him a ticket for the Senate. He should sort out his issues with the party if he still has any shred of conscience or integrity,” he added.
Akinmade said the Ogun State Government had more important responsibilities than responding endlessly to what he called Daniel’s tantrums.
