The Ogun State Government has told a former governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to stop crying foul and comply with lawful directives over the planned demolition of his properties in Sagamu.
Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said this in reaction to Daniel’s allegation that the government was plotting to demolish his private residence, Asoludero Court, and Conference Hotel in Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area.
Daniel had claimed the action was politically motivated, accusing the state of invoking the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022 against buildings legally constructed before the law came into force.
The former governor also alleged that the move amounted to a blatant disregard for due process and the rule of law.
But Akinmade insisted Daniel was not above the law, adding that he was served notices like other property owners in the neighbourhood. He said instead of presenting his planning permit and land title for verification, the senator resorted to “cheap blackmail.”
“The government is not targeting Otunba Gbenga Daniel in any way,” Akinmade said. “Governor Dapo Abiodun has embarked on redeveloping towns and cities through urban renewal, starting with Ibara GRA in Abeokuta and now extending to Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode GRAs.”
According to him, the exercise involves auditing existing developments to determine permit status for houses, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings in line with due process requirements.
He explained that Daniel’s buildings fall within Sagamu GRA and were served notices under the Town Planning Law, along with many other structures, with a specified timeframe to submit relevant documents.
Akinmade maintained that the process was part of a statutory urban renewal programme, not a political witch-hunt.
