Senator Gbenga Daniel Accuses Ogun Indigenes Of Sabotaging Ijebu-Remo Statehood Drive Amid Ongoing Political Agitation
By Oludare Joshua
Former Ogun State Governor and current senator for Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has raised concerns that certain indigenes of the state are colluding with external forces to undermine the push for the creation of Ijebu-Remo State from the existing Ogun State.
Daniel, who is championing the bill for the establishment of the new state in the National Assembly, warned that this conspiracy could jeopardize years of collective effort and the aspirations of the late Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who ardently advocated for statehood until his passing in July.
During the Community Midterm Assessment Tour of the BATOGD Movement for Ijebu East Local Government held in Ijebu Imusin, the senator emphasized the necessity of unity among the people to prevent the statehood initiative from meeting the same fate as the Dangote Refinery project, which was relocated to Lagos after his governorship.
”From my understanding, each geopolitical zone may only get one new state. In the South-West, we face competition from our Ibadan counterparts, who are also seeking their own state. Our unique position lies in the fact that of all the provinces established in 1923, only the Ijebu Province—which includes nine local governments—has yet to achieve statehood,” Daniel explained.
He expressed dismay that “some of our people, perhaps motivated by temporary benefits, are collaborating with outsiders to sabotage this dream,” even going so far as to call for accountability among those acting against the interest of the Ijebu community.
The former governor highlighted the importance of Ijebu-Remo State, proposing that its establishment, with Ijebu land as its capital, would not only rectify historical imbalances but also foster regional development and enhance political representation.
Reflecting on his previous experiences, Daniel noted, “I sounded the alarm when I learned that the Dangote Refinery, which I facilitated for Ogun State during my tenure, was being moved to Lagos, but my warnings went unheeded, resulting in the loss of this substantial investment. I hope our state creation efforts will not follow the same path. By God’s grace, and with President Tinubu’s tenure anticipated to continue beyond 2027, Ijebu-Remo State will become a reality.”
He also tied the proposed statehood to his re-election campaign and President Bola Tinubu’s second term aspirations, rallying the community to support both endeavors. Opposition to Tinubu’s administration was dismissed by Daniel as “idle talk rooted in hypocrisy,” affirming the President’s commitment to nation-building and economic revitalization.
Additionally, Daniel highlighted the federal government’s ongoing support for local development, revealing that Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has committed to tapping into the vast bitumen resources in Ijebu East. He pointed out a remarkable increase in mining sector revenue, which surged from N6 billion to N38 billion within a year, attributing this growth to enhanced transparency and accountability under Tinubu’s leadership.
In terms of grassroots impact, Daniel showcased his community initiatives, which include the installation of solar-powered boreholes, interest-free microcredit schemes, vocational training, and the distribution of start-up kits to small business owners. He also reported that over 4,000 residents have benefited from free eye care, surgeries, and medical treatments.
Lastly, the senator urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to prioritize the development of the Ogun seaport project he initiated during his tenure, similar to the successful completion of the Gateway International Airport, which also began under his administration (2003–2011).
The event concluded with the distribution of empowerment tools, including motorcycles, sewing machines, deep freezers, knapsack sprayers, fertilizers, and free medical services to the residents of Ijebu East.
