Former Ogun State Governor and current Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has raised alarm over fresh demolition threats issued against several of his properties by the state government.
According to Daniel, officials acting under the directive of Governor Dapo Abiodun pasted notices of contravention, quit, and demolition on his private residence, Asoludero Court in Sagamu, as well as Conference Hotels Limited and its annex. He said the notices were served around 4 p.m. on Friday, August 8, warning that demolition could take place within three days.
Daniel condemned the move as “politically motivated persecution”, claiming the cited reason—construction without adequate permits—was baseless, since the buildings were completed long before the enactment of the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022.
“This is nothing but a thuggish intimidation tactic,” Daniel said. “These properties have been standing for over a decade—Asoludero Court since 2004, Conference Hotel since 2013, and its annex since 2015. They cannot be retroactively targeted under a law that didn’t exist at the time.”
He accused the government of violating due process, claiming that proper procedures—such as providing time intervals between contravention and eviction notices—were ignored.
Daniel also linked this development to the controversial demolition of DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu Ode in September 2023, a property owned by his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel. That demolition, which he described as “illegal” and executed “in the middle of the night by thugs,” is currently being challenged in court, where the state has reportedly lost several applications.
“This administration must be held accountable for such abuse of power,” Daniel stated, calling on civil society, legal institutions, and the public to condemn the action.
Ogun Government Responds
In response, Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Abiodun, dismissed Daniel’s allegations of political targeting. He insisted the government was simply conducting a routine review of building compliance across the state.
“No one is being singled out,” Akinmade said. “If his documents are in order, there’s no need to panic. This is part of a larger effort to enforce urban development standards.”
The incident echoes previous public disagreements between Daniel and Governor Abiodun, particularly surrounding the demolition of DATKEM Plaza. At the time, Abiodun defended the action, saying no individual is above the law—even a serving senator.
