Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the former Governor and current Senator representing Ogun East, has levied serious accusations against Governor Dapo Abiodun, alleging deliberate obstruction and sabotage of federal government intervention projects within Ogun State. Senator Daniel made these claims on Sunday during the Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour of the BATOGD Movement in Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area.
Allegations of Project Obstruction Fuel Political Tensions
Addressing traditional rulers, APC leaders, and residents, Daniel stated that his silence was no longer an option due to what he described as repeated attempts to impede federal government efforts intended for his constituents. He specifically cited two federal road rehabilitation projects in Ijebu North, the Itanrin Road and General Hospital Road, as being targeted by the state government's alleged obstruction.
This is not the first instance of conflict between the two political heavyweights. Just two months prior, Daniel and Abiodun clashed over a stop-work order issued by the Ogun State Government on a road project facilitated by the Senator in Sagamu LGA. The state government had justified its action by stating the contractor failed to obtain necessary approvals and permits. However, Daniel's camp countered, asserting that the Abiodun-led administration was determined to frustrate his intervention projects.
Underlying Rivalry and the Fight for Influence
The political friction between Senator Daniel and Governor Abiodun is reportedly intensified by their rivalry for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Ogun East in the upcoming 2027 election. Daniel revealed he had attempted private counsel with the Governor on multiple occasions. "As a former Governor of this state for eight years, and as your Senator, I have a duty to speak truth to power. I have tried, on several occasions, to counsel this Governor privately on these very issues," Daniel stated, adding that his efforts were met with "public ostracisation and removal from party and government activities." He emphasized that when his work, crucial for his constituents, is sabotaged, silence becomes untenable.
Daniel also dismissed his recent "suspension," which he attributed to "two or three aides of the Governor," asserting that neither he nor the BATOGD Movement has ever engaged in anti-party activities and that their loyalty to the President and the party remains unwavering.
Federal Agenda and Appeals for Intervention
Senator Daniel underscored that the affected roads are integral to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, and his role as a National Assembly member is purely facilitative. He accused the state government of deliberately misrepresenting these projects as his personal initiatives. "They erroneously believe the federal contractors are ‘OGD’s contractors,’ and in line with their agenda of removing anything associated with me, the project must be frustrated,” he alleged.
Furthermore, Daniel disclosed that the Ijebu North Local Government Chairman had issued a stop-work order on both the Itanrin and General Hospital Road projects, suggesting the chairman was under "immense pressure." He warned of severe consequences, stating, "If by December 2025 this stop-work order is not revoked, the federal funding for these roads will be lost. It will be returned to the treasury." He appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to intercede with the Governor on behalf of the people of Nigeria. Daniel commended the APC National Working Committee and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their "principled and timely" intervention in the internal crisis within the Ogun State APC chapter, noting it has "restored a measure of sanity" to the party. Meanwhile, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, announced at the event that over ₦700 million has been disbursed to tertiary institutions in Ogun East to support student loan applicants, encouraging more students to apply as "the fund is real." Governor Abiodun's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, has yet to respond to requests for comment on Daniel's allegations.