Political Storm Erupts As Abiodun Targets Daniel’s Investments

Barely days before the crucial Remo Federal Constituency House of Representatives by-election, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has escalated his political offensive against former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, ordering the sealing and marking of multiple landmark properties for demolition. Among the affected sites are the historic Asoludero Court, the prestigious Conference Hotel Sagamu, and its annex Adeola Court.

On Monday, operatives of the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority arrived in Sagamu under heavy security, pasting “Notice of Seal” and “Stop Work Orders” on the properties. The government cited alleged planning violations, but political observers argue the move is a calculated attempt to weaken Daniel’s influence ahead of Saturday’s election.

This is not the first time the Abiodun administration has targeted Daniel’s assets. In September 2023, it demolished the multi-billion naira Datkem Plaza in Ijebu Ode, owned by Yeye Olufunke Daniel, citing regulatory breaches. Supporters of the former governor insist these actions are politically motivated.

The sealing of Asoludero Court has drawn particular outrage. Completed in 2004 and designed by renowned architect Kayode Anibaba, the property serves both as Daniel’s residence and as a hub for public service initiatives. Its public wing houses a library with thousands of books, a mini museum chronicling Ogun and Nigerian history, the Gateway Front Foundation for education and welfare projects, and a leadership academy with a 300-seat lecture hall. The closure cuts off public access to these vital community resources.

The crackdown also hit the Conference Hotel Sagamu, a 70-room four-star facility regarded as the finest in the region, and Adeola Court, its 40-room annex. Designed by award-winning architect Wilson Osikoya, both are key drivers of hospitality and tourism in the state.

In a move critics describe as reckless, even the private residence of the hotel’s general manager, unrelated to Daniel , was marked for demolition because its red brick design resembled that of Daniel’s buildings. Meanwhile, a similar brick property owned by one of Abiodun’s political allies remains untouched.

This latest action joins a list of politically charged incidents: the demolition of Datkem Plaza in 2023, threats against properties linked to opposition figures in 2024, and now the sealing of OGD’s properties just days before a high-stakes election.

“This is no longer governance; it is a full-blown political vendetta,” a Sagamu elder said. “From Datkem Plaza to Asoludero Court and the state’s best hotel, the governor is dismantling Daniel’s contributions to Ogun’s growth.”

With the Remo by-election imminent, the episode has become the flashpoint of a tense political season, raising questions over whether state power will be used to protect legacies or destroy them.

By Folake Sokoya

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