Senator Daniel Warns of Dangerous Precedent as Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun Moves Against His Assets

Senator Daniel has warned that Ogun State Governor’s plan to pull down his properties is nothing more than a calculated political vendetta. The former governor and current Senator representing Ogun East believes the demolition notice is rooted in personal grudges rather than any genuine urban planning concerns. His media aide, Mr. Steve Oliyide, disclosed that the targets include Asoludero Court in Sagamu GRA and the Conference Hotels chain, properties he insists have no ongoing illegal construction.

Senator Daniel further argued that Governor Dapo Abiodun has no moral standing to issue demolition threats, pointing out that the governor’s own private mansion on the Iperu–Ode Road allegedly violates the state’s highway setback regulations. He questioned why such a clear breach in the governor’s property is ignored while others face urgent threats of demolition.

Senator Daniel Questions the Legitimacy of the Demolition Notices

Senator Daniel insists that the notices served are legally defective and fail to comply with Ogun State’s 2022 Urban and Regional Law. He criticized the unusual speed with which the contravention and quit notices were issued—both on the same day—giving just three days before demolition. According to him, no section of the law authorizes such hasty action.

He stated that the allegations of structural violations are baseless and without evidence, stressing that the government has not provided a single documented contravention. “Suspicion is not law,” Daniel declared, noting that the state has not identified any new construction activity on his properties.

Senator Daniel Accuses Government of Procedural Misconduct

Senator Daniel accused the Ogun State government of procedural misconduct, explaining that proper due process requires an initial demand for information before any punitive steps are taken. He claimed that if the government had suspicions, they should have given him a stipulated time to respond with relevant documents, which he would have readily done.

He pointed out that building approvals in Nigeria involve submitting multiple sets of architectural and engineering designs to the government, which then stamps and retains three copies. According to him, these copies prove compliance, and it is a dereliction of duty if the government now claims ignorance of the records.

Senator Daniel Points to Missing Government Records

Senator Daniel challenged the Ogun State government to produce the original approval documents in its custody. He claimed that his projects were fully approved, numbered, and stamped, making any claims of illegality an indictment on the government’s own record-keeping.

He maintained that he would not volunteer copies of the approvals to the government at this stage, stressing that it was the state’s responsibility to safeguard and retrieve them. He said his legal team is already preparing to compel the state to either produce these documents or face legal scrutiny for their absence.

Senator Daniel Warns of Imminent Legal Action

Senator Daniel warned that his legal team may file a suit to halt the planned demolitions and to hold the Ogun State government accountable for alleged abuse of office. He emphasized that the matter is no longer just about his properties but about the erosion of due process and rule of law in Ogun State governance.

According to him, if allowed to go unchecked, the governor’s actions could set a dangerous precedent where political rivalry is used as a tool for property seizures and targeted harassment. He described this as a threat not just to investors but also to the rights of private citizens.

Senator Daniel Urges Public Vigilance Against Abuse of Power

Senator Daniel urged Ogun residents and Nigerians at large to remain vigilant against what he described as a creeping culture of political retribution disguised as urban renewal. He warned that silence in the face of such abuse could embolden politicians to weaponize state machinery against perceived enemies.

He called on civil society organizations, legal advocates, and the media to scrutinize the state’s demolition campaign, ensuring it is not a selective purge aimed at silencing dissent. “If we let this pass,” he said, “tomorrow it may be your home, your business, or your life’s work under siege.”