Ogun Govt. Demolishes Proposed Senatorial Office Amidst Abiodun-Daniel Rift

• Yusuf Oketola

The rift between former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel and the incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun has reached new heights, culminating in the demolition of a building intended for Daniel’s senatorial office.

The turbulent feud between the two political heavyweights began well before the last elections and escalated significantly afterward.

It was alleged after the 2023 Governorahip poll in the state that Daniel actively worked against Abiodun’s bid for a second term.

Both Abiodun and Daniel hail from the Ogun East Senatorial District, a region where the governor faced a substantial setback, losing seven out of nine local government areas in the senatorial district.

However, he was declared the election’s winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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This disappointing electoral performance in the district only added fuel to their fiery rivalry.

The root cause of this political clash appears to be the coveted 2027 senatorial seat. While Daniel, the current senator of the district, expressed interest in a second term.

Abiodun was rumored to be contemplating the slot for either himself or one of his loyalists.

The feud intensified when Abiodun failed to secure ministerial nominations for his camp, a shocking setback as he was sidelined during the selection process of the state’s three ministers.

It’s reported that Daniel and Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, outmaneuvered the governor as the president made his choices.

This political turmoil took a dramatic turn when news broke that the state government had bulldozed the building designated to house Daniel’s senatorial office.

The demolition of this structure marks a striking escalation in the ongoing power struggle between these two influential figures.

The battle for supremacy and political dominance in Ogun State shows no signs of abating, leaving the state’s political landscape in turmoil and its citizens eager for answers amid the wreckage of their leaders’ contentious rivalry.

In a shocking turn of events, the Dapo Abiodun government initiated the demolition of the iconic 5-story DATKEM Plaza located on Folagbade Street in Ijebu Ode.

The plaza, owned by Her Excellency Yeye Olufunke Daniel, had been a prominent structure with full approvals, slated for commissioning at the end of this month.

The building boasted a ground floor and mezzanine equipped with a fully-fledged banking hall, complete with bank trap doors and a CHUBB Strong Room.

Other features included a Kone Elevator installed by Kresta Laurel Ltd, brand new split air conditioners from Holomicool Nig Ltd, a 150kVA generator
set, and a transformer.

The plaza also had a fire-fighting system installed by Flory Ltd, with external cladding completed by Vertex Nig Ltd. Building supervision was entrusted to qualified and certified engineers, Engr. A Lawal and Engr. Ibraheem Shonde, among others.

The government’s decision to demolish the plaza has stirred controversy, as there appear to be no structural or quality issues with the building.

The reasons given by the government include concerns over inadequate parking space in the vicinity, although the developers were in the process of preparing nearby streets for parking.

Additionally, the empty land at the back of the plaza was under negotiation for lease to provide additional parking.

Furthermore, the government cited inadequate muster points and airspace as reasons for the demolition.

However, proponents of the plaza argue that there is ample space around the building for muster points and sufficient airspace, as no adjoining buildings encroach on the property.

The sudden demolition notice by the government, issued just three days before the demolition began, has raised questions about the timing and decision-making process.

Demolition commenced at 3 am on Sunday, September 10, 2023, with an estimated building cost of approximately N1 billion.

Approximately 100 Nigerians were employed on-site, and all necessary government approvals were reportedly obtained for the construction. Notably, the third floor of the building was slated to house the Ogun East Senatorial Office.

This controversial move has sparked public outrage and numerous inquiries, with the project manager and developer, Engr. Olusegun Lawal of Adeolumi Environmental Services Ltd, available for further information at the provided contact numbers.

The demolition of DATKEM Plaza remains a contentious issue, and further developments are expected as discussions with relevant government authorities continue.