The standoff between the Ogun State government and Senator Gbenga Daniel of Ogun East has intensified following claims that the Ministry of Works issued a “stop work” order on a road project in Sagamu, which the senator had reportedly facilitated for reconstruction.
Senator Daniel, through his media aide Steve Oloyede, alleged that the action was politically motivated.
However, the state government dismissed the allegation, calling it “egregious falsehood.” In a statement signed by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the government explained that the contractor, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, was only asked to apply for permission since the road in question is classified as a state road.
According to the government, the directive was procedural and necessary to avoid duplication, as the road had already been listed for repairs under state projects. The statement further argued that no contractor is allowed to work on a road without proper clearance, just as states themselves must seek federal approval before repairing federal roads.
The government pointed to precedents, recalling how the state was once barred from fixing federal roads such as Abeokuta–Sango Ota until clearance was granted by the then Minister of Works.
Citing a February 1, 2025, letter from former federal lawmaker Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, the state emphasized that seeking approval before commencing any project is the standard practice.
The statement challenged critics to show any legal fault in the ministry’s letter and accused political opponents of spreading misinformation to stir unnecessary controversy.
What You Should Know
The Ogun State government denied allegations of stopping a Sagamu road project facilitated by Senator Gbenga Daniel, insisting the contractor was only asked to obtain the required clearance since the road is under state jurisdiction.
The government said political motives were being wrongly imputed to a routine regulatory process.
