The Ogun State Government on Monday dismissed claims that it halted constituency projects being executed by Senator Gbenga Daniel out of political vendetta, insisting that the projects were stopped because they failed to meet required federal standards.
The government, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the state has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that all public projects, including those initiated by federal lawmakers, comply with approved specifications.
Akinmade explained that the contractors engaged for some of Daniel’s constituency projects were directed to submit approved drawings and specifications in line with Federal Ministry of Works standards to enable proper monitoring by the Ogun State Ministry of Works.
“Contractors who complied have since been given the go-ahead to continue with the road projects,” he said. “A designated engineer from the Ministry of Works has also been assigned to carry out routine supervision to enforce compliance.”
Responding to Senator Daniel’s comments on his suspension from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akinmade stressed that the Dapo Abiodun administration could not re-admit him into the party since it was not responsible for suspending him.
“It was not the Ogun State Government that suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel; it was the APC in his ward, and the suspension was later ratified by the State Working Committee,” he said.
“Before then, the party gave him ample opportunity to defend himself, but he ignored the summons.”
Akinmade said it was illogical for the senator to “launch media attacks on the state government” rather than address the issues raised by his party.
“It shows he has no regard for the party or its leadership, and no sense of accountability. He is just chasing shadows, blaming everyone but himself because of his huge ego,” he added.
The governor’s aide described as “laughable” the senator’s claims of persecution, arguing that Daniel has continued to act as though he still governs the state.
“Daniel claims government stopped his constituency projects simply because he was asked to follow due process. Is he the only federal lawmaker in Ogun State? Why is he the only former governor constantly at war with law and logic and staging pity parties through the media?” he queried.
Akinmade added that Ogun State currently enjoys peace and stability “unlike his crisis-ridden tenure when he was in constant conflict with lawmakers and other political actors.”
“He cannot be bigger than the party that gave him a senatorial ticket. He should resolve his issues with the APC if he still has any shred of conscience or integrity,” he said.
The statement concluded that the state government has “better things to do than respond to Senator Daniel’s persistent tantrums.”
