ABEOKUTA — The Ogun State Government has told former governor and serving senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to stop “crying foul” and comply with lawful directives over demolition notices served on some of his properties.
Daniel had on Saturday accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of political persecution, claiming the state was using the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022 to target and demolish his private residence in Sagamu, Conference Hotels Limited, and other properties allegedly built before the law came into effect.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government insisted Daniel is not above the law, adding that he was served notices like other property owners in the area as part of an ongoing urban renewal programme.
“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,” the statement said.
The government explained that the exercise — which involves auditing existing developments to verify planning permits and land titles — is being carried out in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode GRAs, similar to earlier efforts in Abeokuta’s Ibara GRA.
According to Akinmade, Daniel was expected to present his planning permit and land title for verification within the stipulated time but instead chose to “resort to cheap blackmail” by alleging political motives.
“Nobody is bigger than the State. Senator Gbenga Daniel is distinguished no doubt, but he is not bigger than Ogun State. He should submit himself unreservedly to the same laws he once swore twice to uphold,” the statement read.
The government maintained that the process is lawful, non-discriminatory, and was also in operation during Daniel’s tenure as governor. It urged him to comply, “supremely confident in the knowledge that he has done no wrong,” rather than framing the matter as political persecution.
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