2027: Tension in Ogun as Gov Abiodun, Gbenga Daniel in battle of supremacy

Ahead of the 2027 election, Ogun State is rife with tension as a significant political clash unfolds between Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Senator Gbenga Daniel.

The conflict has been ignited by the controversial demolition of properties belonging to Senator Daniel, an action that many believe is rooted in the intense political rivalry that has developed in the lead-up to the upcoming senatorial elections.

As both figures jockey for dominance and public support, this feud not only reflects their ambitions but also highlights the broader political landscape in Ogun State, where alliances and rivalries are crucial in shaping the future of governance and representation in the region. The stakes have never been higher as both men prepare to vie for the coveted senatorial seat, making this confrontation a pivotal moment in Ogun’s political narrative.

The Ogun State Government has dismissed allegations of political persecution raised by former Governor and current Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, following the issuance of demolition notices concerning several of his properties.

In a statement released on Saturday, the government asserted that these notices are part of a routine urban renewal and town planning audit exercise, rather than a manifestation of personal animosity.

This development arises after Daniel’s media office expressed significant concern, accusing the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun of engaging in a “malicious and vindictive abuse of power.”

Daniel’s representatives contended that the notices were issued on Friday, August 8, for his private residence in Sagamu, known as The Asoludero Court, as well as Conference Hotels Limited.

They further claimed that the government was attempting to apply the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2022 retroactively, to demolish structures that had been lawfully constructed before the enactment of said law, some dating back to 2004. This situation is additionally associated with a previous demolition of a property owned by his wife in Ijebu-Ode in 2023.

In response, the state government, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, on Saturday, debunked the claims, describing them as “blatant distortions of facts.”

Akinmade clarified that the notices were part of a development audit being conducted in the Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode Government Reserved Areas, an initiative he said affects many other property owners.

Akinmade said that instead of politicising the issue, Daniel should follow due process.

“All Otunba Gbenga Daniel needs to do, just like every other person in a similar situation, is to present his planning permit and land title to the relevant government agency for verification within the time specified in the notices, rather than resorting to cheap blackmail,” he said.

He further emphasised the government’s position on the rule of law.

“Nobody is bigger than the State,” Akinmade said, adding that “Senator Gbenga Daniel is distinguished, no doubt, but he is not bigger than Ogun State. He should submit himself unreservedly to the same laws he once swore twice to uphold,” he said.

The government’s statement also pointed out that such town planning audits are not new and have been a standard procedure, including during Daniel’s tenure as governor. It concluded by urging Daniel to avoid framing every interaction with government institutions as a personal attack on Governor Abiodun.