By Abayomi Ife, Abeokuta
A former governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel, has passionately pleaded with Governor Dapo Abiodun to fix the deplorable state of roads in the Ijebu North East Local Government(LGA) urgently, urging him to pity the plight of the indigenes and residents who daily ply the roads.
Daniel said that the rehabilitation of eleven of such roads in the LGA should not be delayed any longer, imploring the state government to immediately commence the rehabilitation of those key road networks as they remain central to the economic and social wellbeing of the people.
The Senator representing Ogun East in the 10th National Assembly, made the appeal on Saturday at Erunwon community during his Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour of the BATOGD Movement, Ijebu North LGA.
He identified some of the roads needing urgent state intervention as Atan (Odo-Eran) – Odosimadegun – Etiobu – Ododeyo – Imewuro – Ilumerin – Atan (Circular Rd to LG staff Quarters) measuring 15km, Ogidi junction – Odoregbe – Odosenlu – Itamarun – Igede – Idotun – Imomo road spanning 7km and Odosenbora – Ibido – Okeaye – Idorunwon – Gbawojo – Omu measuring 8km.
Daniel said, “My dear people, permit me at this point to make a passionate appeal. As a matter of urgency, we call on the State Government to come to the aid of Ijebu North East and pity the plight of our people.
“The condition of our road infrastructure is dire, and rehabilitation can no longer be delayed. We therefore implore the government to immediately commence the rehabilitation of eleven key road networks that are central to the economic and social wellbeing of this local government.
“These roads are lifelines for our farmers, traders, students, and the entire business community. Their rehabilitation will not only ease movement but also boost commerce and restore hope to our people. We sincerely beg the State Government to act now and allow the Federal Government to complement its efforts for the benefit of all.”
The ex – Governor who reiterated his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term agenda, used the event to also cautioned Governor Abiodun against letting his petty politics to short – change the good citizens of the state, especially the Ogun East Senatorial Districts, on facilitated Constituency projects.
He said that what he expects, and even requires from the Dapo Abiodun – led state government is cooperation, encouragement and not hostility manifesting as petty politics that could scuttle facilitated federal projects to the state.
The Senator was apparently referring to the Paddy Arikawe-Oye Igbimo Road in Sagamu, a Constituency project he facilitated which the state government faulted and halted it recently over alleged engineering designs issues.
The Daily Crucible reports that the state government had directed Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling Daniel’s constituency project, to revise the engineering designs substantially and ensure transparency in all submissions to the state’s appropriate agency.
This development came after the contractor had submitted a bill of quantities to the state government, days after violating regulations by beginning work on the state road without approval and subsequently being directed to follow due process.
According to the state government, the design submitted by the contractor is not acceptable as it falls below specifications and conveyed the decision through a letter dated September 22, 2025, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Yusuf I. O and addressed to the firm’s managing director.
However, addressing his Ogun East constituents at Erunwon on Saturday, Daniel clarified that the road is a federal government project, clarifying that he only facilitated it.
“A fundamental part of my role as your Senator is lawmaking and, crucially, facilitating the location of federal projects to our constituency. However, I must clarify a critical point: my job essentially ends with the facilitation. The process of awarding contracts and executing these projects is the responsibility of various federal agencies, often in cooperation with state agencies. What we expect, and indeed require, from the State Government is cooperation, not hostility. Petty politics must never be allowed to short-change our people.
“Let me give you a clear example. The Paddy Arikawe Road in Sagamu, which is currently a subject of controversy, was first opened up and tarred with drainages by our Ogun State Road Management Agency (OGROMA) in 2004, over twenty years ago. Sadly, since then, no significant repairs or maintenance had been carried out until we managed to include it as a palliative measure in our limited constituency projects. The primary responsibility for that road lies with the local and state government. 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 called on the state government to channel its energy to governance and development, saying that is a shared mandate and the best way to truly serve the people.
However, Daniel revealed that he had submitted a special proposal for the creation of four satellite campuses within a 30km radius of the main campus Tai Solarin University of Education Ijagun which was recently upgraded to Federal University of Education by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the initiative is strategically important to address the challenges of inadequate at the main campus at Ijagun which has a landmass of about 151 hectares, which he noted is significantly smaller than the 10,000 hectares typically required for a new federal university.
The former governor therefore pleaded with the state government to provide the necessary support and encouragement to make the planned satellite campuses for TASUED a reality for Ogun people.
“Now, for the good news specific to our local government. You will recall the recent, visionary decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Federal Government to take over the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED). This is a monumental achievement. However, we have identified a challenge: the main campus at Ijagun has a landmass of about 151 hectares, which is significantly smaller than the 10,000 hectares typically required for a new federal university. This limitation presents a unique opportunity for us.
“We have therefore submitted a special proposal for the creation of four satellite campuses within a 30km radius of the main campus. This initiative is strategically important, and incidentally, it holds a special significance. Unbeknownst to many, the family roots of our esteemed First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Mrs. Remi Tinubu, are firmly planted here in Ijebu North East. Establishing these campuses is the least we can do in her honour,” he noted.
