The Ogun State Government has reacted to recent allegations made by Senator Gbenga Daniel against Governor Dapo Abiodun, accusing the former governor of criticising the same consensus political arrangement that facilitated his emergence as the Ogun East Senatorial candidate in 2023.

The government said it was ironic that Daniel, who benefited from the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus process through the support and intervention of Governor Abiodun ahead of the 2023 elections, is now criticising the same party structure and collective decision-making process that secured his senatorial ticket.

Daniel, while speaking during his Midterm Assessment and Empowerment Tour in Ijebu Ode, had accused Governor Abiodun of neglecting Ijebuland, frustrating federal projects facilitated by him, causing Ogun State to lose the proposed Dangote Refinery project, and opposing the establishment of a naval base in Abigi.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and linked them to ongoing political disagreements within the APC.

According to Akinmade, Daniel’s recent comments may be connected to differing political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Daniel is simply questioning the same consensus arrangement and party structure that produced him as senator in 2023. It is surprising that someone who benefited from the collective decision of the party is now criticising the same process because it no longer aligns with his political position,” Akinmade stated.

He recalled that Governor Abiodun, in the interest of party unity and cohesion, persuaded other aspirants, including the then incumbent senator, to step down for Daniel during the 2023 senatorial contest.

“The governor ensured a peaceful consensus arrangement that paved the way for Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate. It is therefore ironic that the same individual now seeks to criticise the party and its leadership over current political disagreements,” he added.

The government maintained that residents of Ogun State, particularly in Ijebuland, remain appreciative of the developmental strides of the Abiodun administration, especially in infrastructure renewal and road rehabilitation.

“Everybody in the state, especially in Ijebuland, appreciates the achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Many roads abandoned by previous administrations have now been rehabilitated, while about 29 major road projects have been completed in Ijebu Ode alone,” Akinmade said.

The statement also faulted Daniel’s comparison of federal allocations received during his tenure as governor with those accruing to the current administration, arguing that the comparison did not fully reflect prevailing economic realities and the depreciation of the naira.

“It is interesting that Daniel, who left office in 2011 when the exchange rate hovered between N150 and N170 to a dollar, is now comparing that period with the current economic situation where the dollar exchanges for over N1,370,” the statement added.

On Daniel’s allegation that Governor Abiodun frustrated the Dangote Refinery project in Ogun State, the government described the claim as inaccurate and pointed to public remarks by Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, praising the administration’s investor-friendly policies.

Akinmade added that the ongoing expansion of Dangote cement plants in Itori and Ibeshe reflects investor confidence in Ogun State under the Abiodun administration.

The statement further accused Daniel of engaging in actions perceived by some party stakeholders as anti-party activities during the 2023 governorship election and subsequent political contests in the state.

“The leadership and stakeholders of the APC in Ogun East expressed concerns over Daniel’s political activities during the 2023 governorship election and other elections in the state,” Akinmade stated.

He also alleged that Daniel often acted independently without sufficient consultation with relevant party stakeholders.

Recalling a recent APC stakeholders’ meeting in Ijebu Ode, Akinmade said Daniel’s conduct at the gathering generated political tension among party members.

“The party took a collective decision, but he appears uncomfortable with the outcome. When Governor Abiodun was adopted as the consensus candidate for Ogun East, stakeholders from ward, local government, and state levels were present. So why is he now questioning the same process that previously worked in his favour?” he queried.

The Ogun State Government maintained that Governor Abiodun remains focused on governance and the delivery of developmental projects across the state despite ongoing political disagreements.