GOV. DAPO ABIODUN GOES MAD WITH POWER – Marks 3 Separate Properties Of OGD For Demolition In 3 Days In A Dangerous Show Of Power [By Dr. Ope Banwo, Founder, Naija Lives Matter & Mayor of Fadeyi]

In what can only be described as a brazen abuse of power, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has taken Ogun politics to a dangerous new low — using the might of state machinery to intimidate and punish political rivals.

The latest victim of his authoritarian streak is none other than the former governor of Ogun State and current Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) — one of the state’s most respected political stakeholders and a key leader of the ruling APC.

From Political Disagreement to Political Vendetta

We are reliably informed that it began when OGD mildly voiced concerns over the governor’s high-handedness in conducting APC party primaries and preparatory processes without involving major stakeholders, influencers, and long-standing party leaders.

Despite this, we gathered that OGD still supported the candidates chosen by the governor — making cash donations and pledging his support, since they remained APC candidates. His “offense” was to discreetly report the governor’s high-handed conduct to party elders without even discussing it publicly.

Instead of engaging constructively, Governor Abiodun escalated the matter into open political warfare, intimidation, and an unprecedented show of raw power. Acting on his threats to “deal with” the former governor, Abiodun’s state agents stormed OGD’s properties across three different locations in Ogun State — serving three-day demolition notices with the most shocking and unjustifiable timeline imaginable.

The houses penned down for demolition on Monday, August 11^th includes Asoludero Court – a landmark residence in Sagamu that OGD has personally lived in for over 20 years without incident; Conference Hotel, Sagamu – a hospitality hub serving Ogun for over 12 years and Conference Hotel Annex in another location — opened and occupied over 8 years

A Demolition Timeline Designed for Political Destruction

Without any prior indication that his properties had violated any codes, OGD was served papers dated 8th August 2025 ordering him to remove all belongings and vacate the premises in just three (3) days — not 7 days, not 30 days — before total demolition.

The notices were signed and delivered on the same day, giving no opportunity to cure any alleged defect, no invitation to the local council office to discuss the matter, and no engagement whatsoever.

Stunningly, all three notices — for three separate buildings in three separate locations — were dated the same day, signed same day, and delivered same day with demolition set for just three days later. Even Asoludero Court, the Ex-Governor and Sitting Senator for Ijebu-East’s personal residence of over 20 years, was not spared.

This is executive lawlessness at its peak.

Targeting Properties That Have Stood for Decades

The targeted properties, which are so far apart in different parts of the state include:

• Asoludero Court – a landmark residence in Sagamu.
• Conference Hotel, Sagamu – a hospitality hub serving Ogun for over 12 years.
• Conference Hotel Annex in another location — opened and occupied over 8 years ago.

Some of  these structures have stood for nearly 20 years without a single prior query from previous administrations. There is no new construction on any of the sites.

Yet, coincidentally after a political falling-out, they are suddenly deemed “illegal.”

A Familiar Pattern of Demolition Politics

This mirrors Governor Abiodun’s earlier demolition of the Multi-billion Naira DATKEM Shopping Complex belonging to OGD’s wife — while the matter was still pending in court — using a law not even in force at the time. The wrongful demolition is still in court and now Dapo Abiodun is determined to render his perceived political opponent homeless though both are in the same APC party.

Documents from OGD confirm that all the targeted buildings were constructed based on approved drawings and in full compliance with building regulations in Ogun state.

In any case, violation or not, It defies logic and credibility that three separate buildings in three different locations could suddenly all violate state code after decades of lawful existence.

Even the code provisions allegedly violated stipulate fines for infractions, not demolition. But apparently the punishment prescribed for the violations stated is not enough for Dapo Abiodun. As far as he is concerned the only penalty they deserve is demolition. nOt curing the alleged defect. Not paying fines as prescribed in law.

The Real Political Motive

We understand this unprecedented attempt to demolish all of OGD’s properties is not about urban planning or public safety — it is about political assassination by bulldozer. A way to render OGD harmless and homeless without any capacity to oppose his march to total domination of the party and the positions, especially the senatorial seat for Ijebu east which we are told Dapo Abiodun already has his eyes on after leaving office as governor.

Governor Abiodun is reportedly scheming to succeed OGD as the Senator for Ogun East. By crippling his opponent’s businesses and assets, he aims to paralyze him ahead of political contests. This is political persecution in its worst form — a witch hunt to silence and economically destroy an opponent.

Due Process Thrown to the Wind

Standard building code enforcement requires:

• Proper notice periods.
• The right to respond within 30 days.
• An opportunity to remedy alleged defects.
• Fines, if the violation stated in the notices are not complied with (even as alleged, none of the properties are on any drainage or serious locations).

Governor Abiodun’s government has ignored all these steps mandated by law — much like it ignored court process when demolishing DATKEM Shopping Complex mid-litigation.

A Dangerous Pattern of Despotism

This is no longer about party primaries. This is about weaponizing state power to crush dissent.

The people of Ogun State have watched Governor Abiodun dodge accountability on multi-billion naira projects like the Gateway Games and the opaque cargo airport project, yet he somehow finds the urgency to demolish structures that have stood for decades.

Ogun is not a monarchy — but Governor Abiodun seems determined to run it like his private kingdom, punishing perceived enemies and rewarding loyalists.

The Naija Lives Matter Stand

On behalf of Naija Lives Matter and the good people of Ogun State, we condemn in the strongest possible terms this naked abuse of power. This is not leadership — this is tyranny in agbada. Ogun people did not elect a king; they elected a governor sworn to uphold the law for all, not just friends and cronies.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, stop this reckless intimidation. You will not be remembered for any achievements if your legacy is defined by political vendettas and the destruction of trust in Ogun’s democracy.

A Call On The President And Authorities To Step In:

Governor Abiodun’s brazen and lawless actions are capable of causing a breakdown of law and order and countless loss of lives in Ogun State — consequences that may eventually warrant a state of emergency if the powers that be do not step in now. This is how it started in rivers state. We do not want this in Ogun state, my own state of origin.

Indication form several discussion rooms we visited suggest that Supporters of OGD are unlikely to take this latest assault lying down, especially after the illegal demolition of his wife’s shopping plaza a few months ago in defiance of court process. From the rumblings across the state since the demolition threats became public just hours ago, OGD’s supporters are already mobilizing for confrontation — even though OGD himself has remained calm, said nothing publicly, and taken no action to provoke unrest.

On contacting OGD myself as Chairman of Naija Lives Matter and somebody familiar with him, I was informed by his aide that he has reached out to his lawyers to handle the matter legally, but unfortunately, the courts are currently on vacation. He informed me that OGD was stunned and shocked at this seemingly unprovoked escalation of financial violence against him but so far he is keeping calm and trying to get it resolved legally and peacefully before the governor carried out his threat in 3 days.

Rumors strongly suggest that Governor Abiodun deliberately timed this attack to coincide with the court recess, ensuring that OGD would have no immediate legal recourse — a tactic the governor has been accused of using before.

The arrogance of power is the enemy of the people. And in Ogun State, the people are watching.

Dr Ope Banwo
Founder, Naija Lives Matter
Mayor of Fadeyi