ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Ogun State Government has dismissed allegations by Senator Gbenga Daniel that recent quit and demolition notices served on some of his properties were politically motivated.
In a statement signed on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government described the senator’s claims as unfounded, insisting the notices were part of a standard town planning exercise.
“Of course, in what has become a familiar pattern, Senator Daniel and his Media Office have been ascribing political motives to a routine procedure, suggesting that they have something to hide and do not mind using underhand tactics to achieve their sinister objectives.
Contrary to the blatant distortions of facts and egregious purveyors of falsehood being propagated by the statement in question, the Ogun State Government is not engaged in any untoward move against Otunba Gbenga Daniel in any way.”
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According to the statement, the notices were served on multiple properties in the Sagamu Government Reserved Area (GRA), including Daniel’s, as part of a development audit in line with the Ogun State Town Planning Law.
“This initiative involves the auditing of existing developments… including houses, schools, hospitals and other commercial buildings. This is a statutory and due process requirement,” the statement said.
The government noted that such audits were also carried out during Daniel’s tenure as governor, stressing that the GRA is a state-planned estate under continuous regulation.
It added that recipients of such notices are only required to present their planning permits and land titles for verification within the stipulated period, rather than politicising the process.
The statement also questioned why Senator Daniel did not verify the facts before making public accusations against Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“It is disappointing for a former governor and current senator to make such allegations just to score political points, calling the move far from true statesmanship. Nobody is above the law. Senator Gbenga Daniel is respected, but he is not bigger than Ogun State.
He should follow the same laws he once swore to uphold and stop turning every interaction with government agencies into a personal attack on Governor Abiodun, who holds him in high regard.
If his buildings meet all regulations, there is nothing to fear, he only needs to comply with the directive. No one should see a routine process as a personal vendetta, and it is certainly not coming from the Governor,” the statement added.