The Ogun State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have faulted the performance of the state government as Ogun marks its 50th anniversary, accusing the administration of poor economic planning, lack of transparency and exclusion of critical stakeholders from governance.
Speaking on the golden jubilee on Sunday, the Ogun LP Chairman, Olaolu Samuel, said the state had failed to maximise its vast human and natural resources despite its strategic location and proximity to Lagos, which should place it among Nigeria’s top revenue-generating states.
Samuel criticised the operations of some foreign-owned firms, particularly Chinese companies, alleging that they establish factories in Ogun while importing raw materials that could be locally sourced.
“In places like Obafemi Owode Local Government, Chinese firms are cultivating crops such as tomatoes — things Nigerians can easily do. Even if the government cannot build factories, it should at least position its people to supply raw materials to existing industries,” he said.
He lamented the absence of deliberate policies to support youth participation in agriculture, describing it as a major setback to economic growth and job creation.
“Ogun should be feeding Lagos and supplying essential commodities. Instead, we are selling land across the state without clear benefits to host communities,” Samuel said, adding that Ogun ought to rank among the top three states in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) if its resources were properly harnessed.
Similarly, the Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, accused the government of what he described as “monopolistic governance” and the exclusion of key stakeholders from activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary.
While congratulating residents on the milestone, Tella said details of the anniversary programmes were poorly communicated, even to major political, community and civic actors.
“It is unfortunate that people deeply invested in this state do not even know what programmes are planned. Governance has been reduced to a private affair, as though Ogun belongs to a few individuals,” he said.
He warned against excessive politicisation of governance, stressing that leadership is temporary and that Ogun State belongs to all its citizens, irrespective of party affiliation.
“This state has produced national icons and legends, yet today decisions are taken without consultation or transparency.
“That is why other states are moving ahead while Ogun struggles,” he added, describing the situation as the worst he had witnessed in the state.Despite their criticisms, both opposition leaders congratulated
Ogun indigenes on the golden jubilee and urged the government to use the occasion to embrace accountable leadership, inclusive governance and sustainable economic planning.
Ogun State was created on February 3, 1976, and marks 50 years as one of Nigeria’s major industrial and educational hubs.
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