Gbenga Daniel accuses Abiodun of intolerance, gov’s aide dismisses claims

Former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Sunday, accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of political intolerance and “witch-hunting,” alleging that the governor is unwilling to run an inclusive government.

Daniel said the situation in Ogun State has deteriorated into what he described as a “three-man closed government,” where voices outside a small circle are allegedly ostracised, victimised, or marked for persecution for offering constructive counsel.

Addressing party members during the Midterm Assessment Tour of his senatorial representation in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area, the senator insisted that his purported indefinite suspension by the APC Ward 4 in Sagamu — nullified by the party’s National Working Committee — had nothing to do with anti-party activities but was the result of the governor’s intolerance of dissent.

According to him, traditional rulers and leaders of thought across the state should prevail on Abiodun to halt what he called repeated stop-work orders on Federal Government-facilitated constituency projects meant for Ogun East.

Daniel warned that the actions of the state government were shortchanging the people and undermining much-needed infrastructural development.

Speaking on his rift with the governor, Daniel said, “You are all aware of the recent political theatrics — the so-called suspension orchestrated by just two or three aides of the governor.

“Let me be clear: there were no anti-party activities from me or any member of the BATOGD Movement, before, during, or after any election. Our record is clean.”

He added that governance in the state since 2019 has been administered for a select few, saying those who interact with perceived opponents of the government are threatened with sanctions, including demolition notices.

“This is not governance; it is a cult, run with dictatorial instincts, treating our commonwealth as a personal estate,” he said.

Daniel said his only ‘offence’ was offering counsel to the governor.

“I have tried several times to advise this governor privately. The reward for my counsel was public ostracisation.

“But when the very work we are doing for our people is being sabotaged, silence is no longer an option,” he added.

The former governor commended President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee for affirming that he remains a bonafide member of the ruling party, saying the intervention restored sanity to the Ogun chapter.

He said he is ready to defend himself before any legitimately constituted investigation panel.

Daniel accused the state government of stopping work on federal projects, including the rehabilitation of Itanrin Road and the General Hospital Road in Ijebu-Igbo, which were facilitated by his office under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He alleged that the state government assumed the contractors were “OGD’s contractors” and therefore moved to frustrate the projects.

“A ‘stop-work order’ has been issued by the local government chairman under pressure. Why choose to fight the people? Why sabotage federal interventions? If by December 2025 this order is not lifted, the funding will be lost,” he warned.

He said the actions of the state government have made Ogun State notorious among federal contractors, who allegedly now say: “If it’s Ogun State and you don’t know the governor, you are playing with a stop-work order.”

Daniel appealed to traditional rulers and other stakeholders to intervene so residents can benefit from projects facilitated through the federal government.

He listed other projects he has executed — including motorised boreholes, solar streetlights, free eye surgeries for over 4,000 residents, and sponsorship of a bill for a Federal Medical Centre in Ijebu-Ode.

Reacting in a phone conversation, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed Daniel’s claims as an attempt to escape accountability for alleged anti-party activities.

Akinmade questioned why Daniel failed to appear before the Ward 4 disciplinary panel if he believed he was innocent.

“He is only playing to the gallery. The former governor should be ignored,” he said.

On the stop-work order issue, Akinmade said the state government welcomes constituency projects but insists that proper procedures and approvals must be obtained, as done by other federal lawmakers from the state.

Akinmade also accused Daniel of intolerance, recalling alleged clashes he had with lawmakers during his tenure as governor.

Despite the NWC’s letter, APC Ward 4 in Sagamu insisted that Daniel’s suspension stands, arguing that the national body lacks the power to overturn disciplinary actions initiated at the ward level in line with the party constitution.

Ward secretary, Aduroja Oluwole, said Daniel was suspended for refusing to appear before a panel constituted to investigate the allegations against him.