Why Gbenga Daniel Wants Abiodun’s Backing On Road Projects

The Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to put politics aside and support federal initiatives aimed at fixing key road networks in the state.

Daniel, a former governor, made the call on Saturday during the continuation of his midterm community assessment and review tour of the BATOGD Movement in Eruwon, Ijebu North East local government.

His media team released details of the engagement.

He stressed that his responsibility as a senator is limited to lawmaking and facilitating federal projects, while the actual awarding and execution of contracts rest with federal agencies.

According to him, what is required from the state government is “cooperation, not hostility.”

The Senator cited the controversial Paddy/Arikawe Road in Sagamu, explaining that the road was first constructed by his administration in 2004 but had since been neglected.

He said he only managed to include it as a palliative measure in his constituency projects when the state government failed to act.

“The plank of my message to our state government is simple: we need encouragement, not discouragement, to bring more development home,” he said.

Daniel also listed several other roads in Ijebu North East in dire need of rehabilitation, noting that they are critical to the livelihoods of farmers, traders, students, and local businesses.

The intervention adds to a running undercurrent of rivalry between Daniel and Abiodun, both of whom are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They have traded both outright and subtle jabs in recent months, with the state government insisting it has a duty to monitor different phases of road projects to ensure excellence in execution.

While Daniel has his eyes set on securing re-election in 2027, Abiodun is widely believed to be considering the Ogun East senatorial seat as his preferred destination after leaving office as governor.

By framing the road projects as a test of cooperation, Daniel is not only pressing the governor for immediate action but also signaling to constituents that he is actively defending their interests.

For Abiodun, however, the pushback highlights the delicate balance of consolidating his legacy as governor while keeping the door open for his political future.

In Ogun East, where infrastructure is seen as a measure of political credibility, the roads are more than tarmac and asphalt—they are a political battleground.

And as 2027 draws closer, every pothole and every patch could become ammunition in what is shaping into an unavoidable showdown between the senator and the governor.