Former Ogun State governor and serving senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has raised the alarm over alleged plans by the state government to demolish his private residence, hotels, and annex in Sagamu.

In a statement issued yesterday by his media aide, Steve Oliyide, Daniel said it had become necessary to alert the public and relevant security agencies to what he described as a “very displeasing development” in Ogun State.

According to him, individuals claiming to be agents of the Ogun State government under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration posted Notices of Contravention, Quit Notices, and demolition threats on three of his properties — the Asoludero Court, Sagamu; the Conference Hotels Limited, Sagamu; and its annex — simultaneously on August 8, 2025.

“We strongly condemn this latest act of political persecution by Governor Dapo Abiodun. The recent issuance of these notices is 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,” Oliyide stated.

He noted that the notices cited “suspected” offences related to construction without adequate permits, describing the allegation as “ludicrous” given that the properties had existed for many years — with the Asoludero Court built in 2004, the Conference Hotel in 2013, and the annex since 2015.

Oliyide accused the administration of attempting to use the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022 to justify demolitions of buildings legally constructed before the law came into force. He alleged that the quit notices breached due process, as procedures require adequate intervals between contravention notifications, quit notices, and penalties.

“If indeed there was any contravention, it does not warrant an immediate demolition threat. The Abiodun administration has completely bypassed procedure, issuing a ‘Notice of Contravention’ and a ‘Notice to Quit’ simultaneously with an immediate demolition threat. This is not a legal process; it is a thuggish tactic designed to intimidate and inflict damage,” he said.

The statement also recalled the September 2023 midnight demolition of DATKEM Plaza, Ijebu Ode — a property belonging to Daniel’s wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel — allegedly carried out by persons acting on the governor’s orders.

According to him, the matter is still in court, with the state government having lost several applications at the Ogun State High Court and the Court of Appeal in Ibadan.

“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 organisations, and legal bodies to condemn this egregious abuse of power,” he said.

“We will not be silent in the face of this injustice and will use all legal means to hold the governor accountable.” (The Guardian, excluding headline)