Address Ogun Worst Road Statistic Claim, Shoyinka Knocks Abiodun

 

The Convener of the United Premier Movement (UPM), Chief Olalekan Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba, has expressed reservation over the refusal of Ogun State Government to respond to the nationwide road quality ranking by Statisense.

This is coming after Ogun State had on August 29 ranked as the first state with the worst road quality in Nigeria by analytics platform, StatiSense, the claim which had not be reacted to by the state government.

Shoyinka, in a statement, described government’s silence as deafening and troubling.

The convener explained that the government’s inaction is worsening the plight of the residents in the state, especially the farmers, small businesses, and commuters who face daily hardship navigating the state’s dilapidated roads. 

He added that failure by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration to clarify whether StatiSense’s assessment is true or issue a official rebuttal, and as well provide a concrete plan to reverse the ranking, amounts to the tacit admission and deliberate neglect. 

According to him, there is need for accountability on the budgets and contracts allocated for road projects in the state, warning that Ogun’s infrastructure must not be sacrificed for political maneuvering ahead of 2027.

“This is not a trivial statistic to be brushed aside. Road quality is the lifeline of economic activity, safety, and daily living for millions of our people. In Abeokuta, the state capital and across my senatorial district, many roads have become death traps, largely impassable, and damaging to vehicles and livelihoods alike.”

Shoyinka, however, called on Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration to publish a time-bound road rehabilitation plan and prove that Ogun State is not being governed on autopilot.

He further queried whether the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun values transparent governance, or has all of its attention fixed solely on 2027 succession politics at the expense of urgent infrastructure needs.

“As 2027 approaches, the voting class will remember not only campaign slogans but also the tangible dividends of democracy or their absence,” he said. 

“Silence is no longer an option. The people are watching. The world is watching.”

As of press time, the Ogun State Government has yet to issue a statement addressing the StatiSense report.