Ogun State Government has hit back at Senator Gbenga Daniel over his recent attacks on Governor Dapo Abiodun. Officials say Daniel is now criticising the very consensus process that made him a senator in 2023.
Daniel benefited from APC's collective decision-making arrangement. Governor Abiodun personally backed him during the senatorial race two years ago.
Speaking in Ijebu Ode recently, Daniel claimed Abiodun neglected Ijebuland and frustrated federal projects. He also alleged the governor caused the state to lose the Dangote Refinery project and opposed a naval base in Abigi.
Kayode Akinmade, the governor's media adviser, rejected these claims on Wednesday. He described them as politically motivated and linked to internal APC disagreements.
According to Akinmade, Daniel's complaints may stem from competing interests ahead of 2027. The senator was questioning a process he once relied on, the aide noted.
"Daniel is criticising the same consensus that made him senator," Akinmade stated. "He benefited from our collective party decision but now attacks it because his political position has changed."
Akinmade recalled how Abiodun convinced other aspirants to step down for Daniel in 2023. Even the incumbent senator withdrew to ensure party unity.
"The governor secured Daniel's emergence peacefully through consensus," he added. "It's ironic he now questions this same party structure over current disagreements."
State government insists Ogun residents appreciate Abiodun's development efforts. Akinmade pointed to massive infrastructure improvements across the state.
"Many abandoned roads have been rehabilitated," he noted. "About 29 major road projects alone were completed in Ijebu Ode."
On Daniel's comparison of federal allocations, government disputed the logic. The naira's depreciation makes such comparisons misleading, officials argued.
Daniel left office in 2011 when the dollar exchanged at N150-N170. Today it trades above N1,370, Akinmade pointed out.
"Economic realities have completely changed since then," he said. "Any comparison ignores this critical difference."
Regarding the Dangote Refinery allegation, government flatly denied frustrating the project. Officials cited public praise from Aliko Dangote himself about Abiodun's policies.
Dangote has praised the administration's investor-friendly environment, Akinmade noted. Cement plant expansions in Itori and Ibeshe further prove this commitment.
State government maintains its record speaks for itself. Akinmade suggested Daniel's attacks were election positioning, not genuine concern.
The row reflects deeper cracks within Ogun APC ranks. Both men now appear at odds over resource distribution and political direction.
Daniel's 2023 election victory surprised many political observers then. His relationship with Abiodun appears significantly strained now.
Government has vowed to continue its development agenda regardless. Officials dismissed Daniel's criticism as mere political theatre ahead of next elections.
