The Ogun State Government has responded to allegations made by former Governor Gbenga Daniel, claiming the government plans to demolish his properties in Sagamu.
The Special Adviser on Media to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade , said Senator Daniel should comply with lawful directives instead of “crying foul”.
The controversy surrounds Daniel’s properties, including his private residence, Asoludero Court, and Conference Hotels Limited, which were served notices of contravention, quit, and demolition.
The government also alleged that the properties were constructed without adequate permits, violating the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022.
Akinmade further explained that the notices were part of a routine audit to verify compliance with town planning laws in the Sagamu Government Reserved Area (GRA).
He emphasised that the exercise targeted all structures, including homes, schools, and commercial buildings, to ensure proper documentation and adherence to zoning regulations.
“No one is exempt from these laws,” he said
“The Ogun State Government is not engaged in any untoward move against Otunba Gbenga Daniel in any way.
“The fact of the matter, quite simply, is that in his holistic approach to development efforts across the length and breadth of Ogun State.
”His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, has embarked not only on building new communities as exemplified by the affordable housing estates and the yellow roof revolution but also on the redevelopment of Ogun State’s towns and cities through urban renewal.
”This, he started with Ibara GRA in Abeokuta, the state capital, and is being extended to Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode GRAs.
“This initiative involves the auditing of existing developments within these areas to determine the permit status of all types of developments, including houses, schools, hospitals and other commercial buildings.
“This is a statutory and due process requirement that will provide information for any government intervention. And this informed the development audit exercise currently being carried out simultaneously in both Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu GRAs.
“Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s building happens to be within the Sagamu GRA and among those that were served notices as required under the Town Planning Law and Regulation of Ogun State. Many other structures were also similarly served, ” he stated.
Daniel, however, disputed the government’s claims, arguing that his properties were built before the 2022 law came into effect.
He noted that the demolition plan was politically motivated, citing the simultaneous issuance of contravention and quit notices with immediate demolition threats as evidence of “thuggish tactics”.
This isn’t the first time Daniel has clashed with Abiodun’s administration.
In September 2023, Daniel’s wife’s property, DATKEM Plaza, was demolished, sparking controversy.
The matter is currently in court, with Daniel claiming the state has lost several applications.
The dispute highlighted tensions between public accountability and perceptions of institutional fairness in Nigeria’s governance landscape.
If Daniel’s allegations are true, it could imply selective enforcement of the law.
Conversely, if the government followed due process, it might demonstrate its commitment to upholding urban planning regulations.
