Gbenga Daniel Accuses Gov Abiodun of Political Witch-Hunt Over Demolition Notices on Properties

Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of political persecution after receiving demolition notices on his private residence, Asoludero Court, and the Conference Hotel annex in Sagamu’s Government Reservation Area (GRA).

In a statement by his media office, Daniel alleged that the notices, issued by the Ogun State Planning Development Permit Authority on August 8, were a retaliatory move, citing similar demolition of his wife’s ₦1 billion DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu-Ode in 2023. He argued that the properties were built before the 2022 urban planning law being cited by the government.

“This is a malicious abuse of power,” Daniel stated, condemning the simultaneous issuance of contravention, quit, and demolition notices as a breach of due process. He called on the public and legal bodies to intervene, vowing to challenge the action in court.

Governor Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Information, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the claims, stating that the notices were part of a routine urban renewal audit in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode GRAs.

He urged Daniel to present his permits for verification rather than resorting to “cheap blackmail.”

“The exercise affects many properties, not just Daniel’s. No one is above the law,” Akinmade asserted, denying any political motive behind the action.

Indeed, the clash follows the 2023 demolition of DATKEM Plaza, a case still in court. Daniel’s camp insists the latest notices are vindictive, while the government maintains it is enforcing compliance with urban planning regulations.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts