Gbenga Daniel cries out as Ogun govt reportedly set to demolish his home, hotels

Former Ogun State governor and current Senator for Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of authorising moves to pull down his Sagamu residence, The Asoludero Court, as well as Conference Hotels Limited and its annexe in the town.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Steve Oliyide, Daniel said the order was communicated through contravention, quit, and demolition threat notices posted on the properties around 4 p.m. on Friday, August 8.

According to copies of the notices sent to journalists, the state government cited alleged violations of the 2022 Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning Law.

Describing the claims as “laughable” and “rooted in political vindictiveness,” Daniel insisted the planned demolition amounted to persecution.

“The documents, concerning these properties cite ‘suspected’ offences related to construction without adequate permits (which is laughable),” he said.

“This is a ludicrous and flimsy excuse, as the properties in question have been in existence for many years. For instance, the Asoludero Court was built in 2004, while the Conference Hotel, Sagamu was built in 2013, and the Annex since 2015.

“The governor’s administration is now attempting to use the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022 to demolish buildings that were legally constructed long before the law was even in existence.

“This action is not only politically motivated but also a blatant disregard for due process and the rule of law. The notices in themselves are clear breaches of procedures which allows adequate time intervals between notifications on contraventions, quits and the penalties, if indeed there was any, is not a demolition or a threat of it.

“Governor Abiodun’s administration has completely bypassed this procedure, issuing a ‘Notice of Contravention’ and a ‘Notice to Quit’ simultaneously, with an immediate threat of demolition. This is not a legal process; it is a thuggish tactic designed to intimidate and inflict damage.”

Daniel recalled that in 2023, the Abiodun administration allegedly carried out an “illegal” demolition of DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu Ode, owned by his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel.

“We recall with disgust the illegal demolition of DATKEM Plaza Ijebu Ode, a property belonging to the wife of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Yeye Olufunke Daniel in the midnight of September, 2023 by thugs believed to be working on the orders of the governor as no government agent will be sent on such assignment at ungodly hours of the night, even on a weekend on equally flimsy excuses.

“The matter is currently in court, and the state has already lost several applications at the Ogun State High Court and another at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, a clear indication that their actions lack legal merit.”

He accused the government of taking political vendetta to “a shameful and dangerous level” and urged citizens, rights groups and the legal community to speak out.

“We call on all well-meaning citizens, human rights organisations, and legal bodies to stand with us in condemning this egregious abuse of power. We will not be silent in the face of this injustice and will use all legal means at our disposal to ensure that Governor Abiodun is held accountable for his lawless actions,” he added.

When contacted, the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, initially requested more time to respond.

He later clarified that the government’s action was part of a state-wide review of property documentation and not targeted at the senator.

“Most of them have violated building plans and the letter was not sent to him alone and that is not true. And if your papers are genuine, why is he panicking? Nobody is after anybody, the government is only taking stock of buildings with similar violations and that is all. Although, we are working on a comprehensive statement that we would also send to you when it is ready,” Akinmade said.

(PUNCH)