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By Oscar Okhifo
The Ogun State Government has rejected claims by former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, that its planned demolition of some of his properties is politically motivated, insisting the enforcement action is part of due process and that “nobody is bigger than the state.”
Daniel had on Thursday raised the alarm over notices of contravention, quit notices, and threats of demolition served on his private residence, Asoludero Court, Conference Hotel Limited, and its annex in Sagamu.
He claimed the buildings, constructed between 2004 and 2015, predated the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022 and should not be subjected to retroactive enforcement.
The former Governor alleged that due process was not followed, saying the contravention and quit notices were issued simultaneously, a move he described as a “thuggish tactic.” He further pointed to the midnight demolition of his wife’s DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu-Ode in September 2023, which is still a subject of litigation, as evidence of a pattern of intimidation.
However, reacting through Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the state government said the notices were part of a routine urban renewal audit of buildings in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode Government Reserved Areas (GRAs) in line with town planning laws.
Akinmade stressed that the exercise was a statutory requirement and had been carried out even during Daniel’s tenure as Governor. He urged the Senator to provide relevant planning permits and land titles to the appropriate agency within the stipulated period rather than politicising the matter.
“Nobody is bigger than the state. Senator Daniel may be a distinguished citizen, but he is not above the law. This is a routine process that affects all buildings in the GRA,” Akinmade said.
The Government maintained that the enforcement drive was not targeted at any individual and vowed to apply the law uniformly.