A Former governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has accused Gov Dapo Abiodun of ordering the demolition of his private residence in Sagamu, The Asoludero Court, Conference Hotels Limited as well as the hotel annexe in Sagamu.

Contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Steve Oliyide, on Saturday, Daniel said that the governor’s order was pasted on the said properties on Friday, August 8 at about 4pm conveyed in notices of contravention, quit and threat of demolition within the next three days.

In the copies of the said notice sent to journalists, it was indicated among other things that the properties in question contravene the provisions of the 2022 urban and regional planning law of the state.

However, in his defense, Daniel said the allegation leveled against him are laughable and deepy rooted in a thuggish and political vindictiveness at its highest level.

He further explained that the latest move by Abiodun to demolish his properties is condemnable and nothing but a clear political persecution.

He added that the documents, concerning the said properties cite ‘suspected’ offences related to construction without adequate permits which he emphasized that “it is laughable”.

He added; “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.”

The senator further disclosed that Abiodun’s administration sometimes in 2023 had displayed a similar pattern of illegal demolitions as in the the latest act of persecution.

He stated that, “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”

Daniel decried the act of the state government whom according to him is taking political vindictiveness to a shameful and dangerous level, without any regard for extant laws or common decency.

He called on citizens and organizations to support him in condemning the abuse of power.

He added, “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”.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Gov Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade when contacted could not make a statement.

“Give me few minutes. I will get back to you,” he said.

On the other hand, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Kayode Akinmade, explained that the actions of the government weren’t after the Senator but only taking stock of the document validity of estates in the state.

He explained that most of the estates had violated building plans and the letter was not sent to him alone, “that is not true,” he said.

“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,” he added.