A national leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Comrade Adesina Akinpelu, has expressed concerns over the order issued by the Ogun State Government to demolish a house belonging to former Governor Gbenga Daniel.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, accused Governor Dapo Abiodun on Saturday of allegedly ordering the demolition of his private residence in Sagamu—The Asoludero Court—as well as the Conference Hotels Limited and the hotel annex in Sagamu.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Steve Oliyide, the former Ogun State governor lamented that Governor Abiodun’s recent move to demolish his properties is condemnable and amounts to clear political persecution.
In response, the Ogun State Government, through Kayode Akinmade, a spokesman for Governor Abiodun, advised Daniel to stop crying foul and to comply with lawful directives.
In a telephone interview with newsmen on Sunday, Comrade Akinpelu said the planned demolition appears politically motivated.
Akinpelu argued that Gbenga Daniel, a two-term former governor and an engineer, could not have constructed his houses without following due process.
He maintained that Governor Abiodun should have obtained a court order for the demolition instead of issuing an executive order.
The OPC leader urged traditional rulers in Ijebuland and Ogun State generally to intervene in the matter between the two political leaders.
He appealed that the crisis should not be allowed to degenerate into the kind of face-off seen between the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Chief Ladoke Akintola.
Akinpelu also noted that former Governor Daniel maintains good relations with many Yoruba self-determination groups and activists.