Gbenga Daniel raises alarm as Ogun govt threatens demolition of property

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Senator, representing Ogun East Senatorial District of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has raised alarm over threat by the Dapo Abiodun-led government in the State to demolish his properties in Sagamu, Sagamu local government area of the State.

Daniel, who was the governor of the State between 2003 and 2011, raised the alarm in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Saturday through his media aide, Steve Oliyide.

The Ogun State government had in a letter dated 8th August, 2025, through State Planning and Development Authority issued notices concerning three properties belonging to Daniel, alleging construction of a building suspected to be without planning permit and without proper setback.

The affected properties included a private residence of Daniel, popularly called Asoludero Court, located along Obafemi Awolowo Road, Sagamu; Conference Hotel Limited, Sagamu and Conference Hotel Anex, also in Sagamu, all in Sagamu Local Government area of Ogun State.

Daniel, who described the government’s action as displeasing development and highest level of political persecution, called the attention of members of the public and security agencies to the issue.

The statement titled, “Political Persecution as Governor Abiodun Issues Quit, Demolition Notices on Daniel’s Properties in Ogun State” reads: “We need to call the attention of the public and relevant security agencies to a very displeasing development in Ogun State.

“At about the close of official work, precisely at close to 4pm yesterday, the 8th Day of August, some people claiming to be agents agents of the government of Ogun State, under the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration posted Notices of Contravention, Quit and threats of demolition on the Asoludero Court Sagamu private residence, the Conference Hotels Limited, Sagamu and the hotel Annex of the former Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency The Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, simultaneously.

“We strongly condemn this latest act of political persecution by Governor Dapo Abiodun, as evidenced by the recent issuance of these Notices which were dated August 8, 2025, as a clear demonstration of the governor’s malicious and vindictive abuse of power, hiding behind a newly enacted law retroactively to target a political opponent.

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

“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 allow 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.

“It is worth noting that this is not an isolated incident. This latest act of persecution follows a similar pattern of illegal demolitions carried out by Governor Abiodun’s administration.

“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.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun is taking political vindictiveness to a shameful and dangerous level, without any regard for extant laws or common decency. We call on all well-meaning citizens, human rights organizations, 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.”

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