News

Gbenga Daniel Vows Court Action Over Ogun Govt’s Planned Demolition of Properties

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedAugust 11, 2025

Former Ogun State governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has vowed to challenge the Ogun State Government in court over its plan to demolish his properties in Sagamu GRA, including his private residence, Asoludero Court, and Conference Hotels with its annex.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, described the planned demolition as “a clear case of political persecution” allegedly masterminded by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“Governor Abiodun lacks the moral right to serve a contravention order on anyone in Ogun State. His own private residence along the Iperu–Ode Road also runs foul of setback rules on the highway and should have been the first property to go down for the same infraction,” Oliyide said.

According to him, Daniel’s properties have “all requisite approvals” issued by the state government, but officials are now “pretending ignorance” to push “an ulterior motive to attack the former governor for no just cause.”

He called for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention, accusing the government of violating the 2022 Urban and Regional Law of the state.

“Which part of this law says that it is the same day you serve a contravention notice that you must also serve the quit notice saying the properties will be demolished after three days?” Oliyide asked.

He argued that no fresh construction was ongoing at the targeted sites and that the right step would have been to demand relevant documents before taking any further action.

“For God’s sake, when you want to build in this country, you must submit your architectural and engineering designs to the government. The Town Planning Department stamps them and returns two copies to you while keeping three. So where are the government’s copies now? If they claim they don’t have them, that is dereliction of duty and sheer irresponsibility,” he stated.

Oliyide dismissed the claim that the move was part of a “land audit” in the GRA, insisting the process was not advertised and appeared to target Daniel alone.

“In a GRA of over 2,000 houses, you are only interested in Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s house built in 2004, Conference Hotels, and the annex. If it’s truly about auditing, you advertise and follow due process — you don’t start and end with one person’s property,” he said.

He also recalled the 2023 demolition of DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu Ode, owned by Daniel’s wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, where Governor Abiodun “was defeated up to the Appeal Court.”

“We are confident that Governor Abiodun will also suffer defeat in this new pursuit of political vendetta,” he declared.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said, “This is a government matter. We are working on our response and you will have it soon.”

Oliyide later revealed that state officials returned to remove the demolition and quit notices from the affected properties shortly after his press briefing.

The development comes amid an escalating war of words between Daniel’s camp and the governor’s supporters, with both sides trading accusations over the true motive behind the move.

While Daniel’s allies insist it is politically motivated, the government insists it is strictly enforcing planning laws — a standoff that could trigger a fierce legal and political battle in Ogun State.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.