Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, on Tuesday urged residents of the state to demand accountability for allocations received by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Daniel claimed that since the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office, Ogun State had been receiving huge monthly allocations, but lamented that there was no commensurate development on the ground to justify the funds.
The senator made the remarks at the Obalofin Court, his private residence in the Ijebu-Ode GRA, during the BAT/OGD Movement Mid-Term Assessment Tour and Empowerment Programme for residents of Ogun East Senatorial District.
The empowerment programme featured free medical outreach for over 2,500 people, distribution of fertilisers and sprayers to farmers, as well as the presentation of power generators, freezers, sewing machines and other items to constituents.
Daniel recalled that during his eight years as governor between 2003 and 2011, his administration received a cumulative allocation of N330 billion.
He stressed that despite the relatively modest amount, his government was able to build stadia in the four zones of the state, establish a university of education and set up four ICT polytechnics, among other legacy projects.
Speaking on the political battle over the Ogun East APC senatorial ticket, the former governor declared that he had reached a point of no return in his determination to return to the National Assembly as the senator representing Ogun East in the 11th Senate.
Daniel, who currently occupies the seat in the 10th Senate, said no one could stop him and his supporters, expressing confidence that his second-term senatorial ambition would succeed.
“Nobody can stop me. We have reached a point of no return. By the grace of God, we will not be disgraced,” he said.
The senator, who has obtained the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms, said he was ready to face other Ogun East senatorial aspirants in the APC primary ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections.
He urged his supporters, many of whom attended the event with their All Progressives Congress membership cards, to turn out en masse on the day of the primary election and vote for their preferred candidate.
He also advised them not to succumb to intimidation or blackmail during the exercise.
According to him, the Electoral Act empowers all card-carrying APC members to determine the party’s candidate.
Daniel expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in a free and fair primary.
He added that Ogun East still stood to benefit from more developmental projects and interventions if he was re-elected.
“I have reached the point of no return on this contest. The meeting we are holding today is for all members of the party. On the day of the primary, take your membership card, go to your ward and cast your vote for the person you want.
“I have heard that some people may try to scare you from voting, but do not worry. If you do not come out to vote for the person you want to represent you, do not later complain that the person is not performing. You have the power to decide now. Do not be intimidated. It is a contest and we are ready for it,” he said.
