Former Ogun State Governor and Senator for Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of political intolerance and “witch‑hunting,” claiming the governor is unwilling to run an inclusive government. Daniel made the allegations during his Midterm Assessment Tour in Ijebu‑Igbo, describing Ogun State as having devolved into a “three‑man closed government” where voices outside a small circle are ostracized, victimised, or persecuted for offering constructive counsel.
The comments follow Daniel’s purported indefinite suspension by APC Ward 4 in Sagamu, a decision later nullified by the party’s National Working Committee. Daniel insisted the suspension was not for anti‑party activities but stemmed from the governor’s intolerance of dissent. He warned that traditional rulers and thought leaders should press Abiodun to stop the repeated halt‑work orders on Federal Government‑facilitated constituency projects meant for Ogun East, which he claimed are being sabotaged by the state government.
Daniel cited the rehabilitation of Itanrin Road and the General Hospital Road in Ijebu‑Igbo as examples of projects facilitated by his office but stalled due to state actions. He alleged the state government assumed the contractors were linked to him and deliberately frustrated the works. The senator appealed to traditional rulers and other stakeholders to intervene so residents can benefit from projects funded by the federal government.
In response, Governor Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed Daniel’s claims as an attempt to evade accountability for alleged anti‑party activities. Akinmade questioned why Daniel failed to appear before the Ward 4 disciplinary panel if he believed himself innocent. The state government also stressed that proper procedures and approvals must be obtained for constituency projects, as other federal lawmakers from the state have done.
Despite the National Working Committee’s letter affirming Daniel’s party membership, APC Ward 4 in Sagamu maintains that his suspension stands, arguing that the national body lacks authority to overturn disciplinary actions initiated at the ward level. Ward secretary Aduroja Oluwole said Daniel was suspended for refusing to appear before a panel constituted to investigate the allegations against him. The ongoing dispute underscores a deepening rift between Daniel and Abiodun, with significant implications for Ogun State’s political landscape.
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