A former Governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to cooperate with him on constituency projects rather than frustrate his efforts with hostility.

Daniel, who made the appeal during a midterm assessment tour of Ijebu North East Local Government at Equity Resort, Erunwon, on Saturday, said unnecessary bickering over federal constituency projects would only shortchange the people and slow down development.

According to him, his primary responsibility as senator is to facilitate the location of federal projects, while contract awards and execution fall under the purview of federal agencies, often in collaboration with state authorities.

“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,” Daniel declared.

The former governor was reacting to recent controversies surrounding the rehabilitation of Paddy Arikawe Road in Sagamu GRA, which was stopped by the Ogun State government over alleged lack of approvals.

Daniel explained that the road, built over 20 years ago when he was governor, had suffered years of neglect and needed urgent attention.

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

On education, Daniel revealed that he had submitted a proposal to make the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun—recently taken over by the Federal Government—a multi-campus institution.

He proposed four new campuses in Ijebu Ode, Okeolugbogun (Ijebu North East), Oni (Ogun Waterside), and between Odogbolu and Ilisan Remo.

He said the initiative would not only solve the land space problem of the university but also honour the roots of the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, whose family hails from Ijebu North East.

Daniel further appealed to the state government to fix dilapidated roads in Ogun East and reiterated his commitment to the push for the creation of an Ijebu-Remo State from the present Ogun.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying his performance already justified another four years in office by 2027.