FORMER Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration of political persecution following a demolition threat on his Sagamu residence, The Asoludero Court, and two hotel properties, including Conference Hotels Limited and its Sagamu annex.
Daniel, in a statement issued by his media aide, Steve Oliyide, said officials of the state government served him Notices of Contravention, Quit Notices, and demolition warnings within a three-day timeframe.
The notices, pasted on August 8, allegedly claim the properties violate the state’s 2022 Urban and Regional Planning Law.
Describing the allegations as “laughable” and “thuggish,” Daniel argued that the buildings in question predate the cited law, with The Asoludero Court completed in 2004, Conference Hotel in 2013, and the annex in 2015.
He said the administration was attempting to use retroactive application of the law to target him politically.
“This is not due process; it is a blatant intimidation tactic,” Daniel said, adding that the same administration demolished DATKEM Plaza, a property belonging to his wife, in September 2023 under similar “flimsy” claims.
That matter, he said, is still in court, with the state having lost several legal applications.
Daniel urged Nigerians, human rights groups, and legal bodies to resist what he described as “egregious abuse of power,” vowing to fight the action through every legal means.
Responding, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade, denied any political motive, saying the exercise was part of a statewide audit of buildings for compliance with approved plans.
“Most of them have violated building plans, and the letter was not sent to him alone.
“If your papers are genuine, there is no need to panic,” Akinmade said, adding that a comprehensive government statement on the matter would be released soon.
