Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has publicly dismissed his critics, likening them to “barking dogs,” and announced a series of weekly road inaugurations as his administration’s primary response.
The Governor made these remarks on Tuesday during the commissioning of the 3.5-kilometre Laderin-Prof Wole Soyinka Train Station Road in Abeokuta.
“We are a very deliberate administration. We will not pay attention to any barking dog. Like they say, nobody throws stones at unripe fruit,” Mr Abiodun stated.
“So, anybody who decides to attack us on social media, we appreciate the fact that it is because of how intimidating this administration is. So, we have no response for them. I will respond to them by commissioning roads every week for the next two months.”
Governor Abiodun used the event to highlight his administration’s infrastructure record, claiming the construction of approximately 1,600 kilometres of roads since taking office in May 2019.
“In the last six years, my administration has constructed, at a minimum, 1,600 kilometres of roads, and that is not a joke. Then, I make bold to say that, at the risk of sounding immodest, that’s more roads than the two administrations before me constructed,” he explained. “They can come and contradict me because facts and figures don’t lie. As we speak, we have at least 20 roads ready for commissioning across the three senatorial districts.”
There have been series of public criticism of road conditions in the state, both online and offline. This included a July 2024 protest by residents of Idomila Community, where elder Kunle Sanni cited “avoidable accidents and deaths” due to deplorable roads.
Just this week, a Pastor who is also an advocate for good road infrastructure in Ogun state was arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) for his online campaigns against bad roads. He was however released after widespread condemnation.
Governor Abiodun concluded his speech by reaffirming his focus on development, stating last November, “We will continue to remain focused despite the sponsored barking of some naysayers.”
The Governor’s pledge for a bi-monthly road commissioning spree sets a new benchmark for public accountability on infrastructure promises in Ogun State.
