The Ogun State Government on Monday refuted claims by Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) that it halted his constituency projects out of political spite, insisting that the stoppage was due to the substandard nature of some of the works.

The government explained that several of Daniel’s road projects failed to meet Federal Government specifications, stressing that it had a constitutional responsibility to ensure that such projects complied with approved standards.

In a statement signed by Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, the government said contractors handling projects that fell short of specifications were instructed to submit approved drawings and standards from the Federal Ministry of Works.

According to Akinmade, this directive was necessary to enable the Ogun State Ministry of Works conduct proper monitoring.
“Contractors who complied have since been cleared to continue with the road projects,” he said. “A designated engineer from the Ministry of Works has also been assigned to conduct routine supervision to enforce full compliance.”

Responding to Daniel’s suspension from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akinmade noted that the issue was strictly a party affair. He stressed that the Dapo Abiodun-led administration could not reinstate the senator since it was not the government but Daniel’s ward that suspended him, a decision later ratified by the APC State Working Committee.

He advised the former governor to focus his energy on clearing his name within the party rather than accusing the government.
“It was not the state government that suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel,” Akinmade said. “The party invited him to defend himself but he ignored multiple summons. Launching media attacks on the state government instead of engaging the party that gave him a platform only demonstrates a lack of regard for the party’s leadership.”

Akinmade dismissed Daniel’s allegations of persecution by Governor Abiodun as “laughable,” adding that the senator had continued to speak and act as though he still governed the state.
“Daniel claims the government stopped his constituency projects simply because he was asked to follow due process,” he said. “Is he the only federal lawmaker executing projects in Ogun State? Why is he the only former governor constantly at war with logic and law, and staging pity parties in the media?”

He argued that the state had enjoyed peace and stability far more than during Daniel’s “crisis-ridden” tenure, alleging that the former governor was struggling to adjust to no longer being in control.

“He cannot be bigger than the party that gave him a senatorial ticket,” Akinmade added. “If he still has any sense of accountability, he should resolve his issues with the party.”

The government concluded by stating that it had more pressing duties than responding to the senator’s “constant tantrums.”