Ogun State’s political terrain is rapidly deteriorating into a theatre of vendetta, where governance has been replaced by score-settling and the machinery of state deployed as a weapon against perceived enemies. The latest victim of this disturbing trend is former Governor and serving Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, whose properties were recently targeted with demolition notices in a move that reeks of political persecution. Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration has developed an alarming pattern of vindictiveness that transcends party lines and political affiliations, raising serious questions about what exactly has become of governance in the Gateway State.
“Power drunk leaders often forget that no reign lasts forever—history buries tyrants, but the people remember their tyranny.”
Anonymous
According to a statement by Steve Oliyide of the OGD Media Office, government officials on August 8, 2025, pasted “Notices of Contravention” and “Quit Orders” on Daniel’s private residence (Asoludero Court) and his business establishments (Conference Hotels Limited and its annexe) in Sagamu. The notices cited alleged building permit violations—a claim that collapses under scrutiny, given that these structures were legally erected years before the 2022 law being invoked.
What makes this move particularly egregious is its brazen disregard for due process. As Oliyide’s statement highlights, the Abiodun administration skipped mandatory procedural steps, issuing contravention notices, quit orders, and demolition threats simultaneously. This is not governance; it is strong-arm tactics reminiscent of political witch-hunts.
Worse still, this is not an isolated incident. The infamous midnight demolition of DATKEM Plaza in September 2023—a property linked to Senator Daniel’s wife—was another low in Abiodun’s tenure. That act, executed under the cover of darkness, was later exposed in court as legally baseless, with the state government losing multiple appeals. Yet, rather than retreat, Abiodun has doubled down, signalling a dangerous obsession with crushing opposition by any means necessary.
Why is Governor Abiodun so fixated on Otunba Gbenga Daniel? The answer lies in OGD’s enduring political relevance. Despite leaving office over a decade ago, Daniel remains a formidable force in Ogun politics, with a loyal base and a track record of strategic influence. His election to the Senate only reinforced his stature—something Abiodun, whose own political capital appears shaky, seems desperate to undermine.
But this is a losing battle. History shows that leaders who govern through intimidation, rather than performance, eventually face backlash. Abiodun’s actions reek of insecurity—an attempt to mask administrative failures with brute force.
The rule of law must prevail. If there are genuine infractions, let due process be followed, not weaponised demolitions. Civil society, the judiciary, and the media must hold the Abiodun administration accountable before Ogun State descends further into authoritarianism.
As Oliyide’s statement rightly warns, “We will not be silent in the face of this injustice.” Neither should the public. Power is transient, but the legacy of oppression lingers. Governor Abiodun would do well to remember that before his vendetta consumes whatever remains of his credibility.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
