The Ogun State Government has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Alhaji Abdul-Hameed Omotayo, over his description of the proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Seaport investment as “another broken promise,” insisting that formal agreements and investment commitments provide a verifiable basis for the project.
The government described Omotayo’s remark as an attempt to politicise a major investment initiative with the potential to strengthen Ogun State’s maritime infrastructure, attract businesses and create thousands of jobs.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said agreements relating to the proposed Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone were signed with global port operator DP World in Paris on September 24, 2026.
According to the statement, the signing took place in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, and DP World Group Chief Executive Officer, Yuvraj Narayan.
The government said the participation of senior Nigerian officials and the international port operator underscored the significance of the proposed investment, which is expected to expand Ogun State’s maritime and industrial capacity.
It also cited a statement from the State House, signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which reported an initial investment exceeding $7 billion and projected the creation of 50,000 direct jobs.
Akinmade argued that the project should be assessed based on the agreements reached, the commitments made by the parties and measurable progress towards implementation, rather than dismissed as an unfulfilled promise.
“How can you describe the deep seaport as another broken promise when concrete steps have been taken to advance the project?” the statement asked.
The government maintained, however, that signing an investment agreement was an important stage in the development process, with financing arrangements, regulatory approvals and construction still required to bring the project to fruition.
It said the proposed seaport and special economic zone could generate significant economic benefits by attracting domestic and international investors, improving logistics and trade, expanding industrial activities and creating employment opportunities.
The government also criticised Omotayo’s reported boast that he would defeat Governor Abiodun before noon on election day, describing it as political bravado that did little to address substantive development issues in Ogun East.
Akinmade further questioned the PDP’s political standing, citing the exclusion of its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 Ogun governorship election.
He attributed the development to the enforcement of statutory requirements concerning the submission of party membership registers, arguing that the controversy raised questions about the party’s internal processes and compliance with electoral regulations.
The government urged political stakeholders to focus on policy issues and verifiable development outcomes rather than allegations and electoral declarations.
Government highlights infrastructure projects
Defending the Abiodun administration’s development record in Ogun East, Akinmade said the government had constructed and rehabilitated more than 243.3 kilometres of roads in the district since 2019, as part of a statewide total exceeding 1,600 kilometres across the 20 local government areas.
Among the projects cited were the Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda–Epe Road, Sagamu–Iperu–Ode–Sapaade Road, Ejirin–Idowa–Ibefun–Itokin Road in Odogbolu, Tam Balogun Road in Ijebu-Ode and Imodi–Imosan Road.
He also referenced the approval of the J4–Gao Road in Ogun Waterside, alongside the administration’s reported delivery of more than 150 blocks of classrooms, primary healthcare interventions across the district and the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport at Iperu-Remo.
According to the government, the projects form part of a broader development programme designed to improve connectivity, expand access to essential services and create an enabling environment for economic growth.
“These are tangible development interventions whose details can be examined and verified. The debate should be about facts, project delivery and the future of Ogun East, not unsupported allegations,” Akinmade said.
The government urged residents to distinguish between project announcements, formal investment agreements and the subsequent stages required for implementation, maintaining that the proposed Gateway Deep Seaport should be assessed against verifiable progress.
It reiterated its commitment to attracting investment and delivering infrastructure projects capable of broadening Ogun State’s economic base, stimulating private-sector growth and supporting long-term development.