Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has stated that the partial demolition of a five-story building is not politically motivated, as many have suggested.
The property is thought to belong to Olufunke Daniel, the wife of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of the state.
While she was exchanging words with Abiodun, the governor stated on Monday during an inspection of the reconstruction of the 8km Mowe/Ofada Road in the Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of the state that the demolition became necessary since it violated the laws.
‘It Smirks of Impunity’
“The owners of DATKEM in their minds must have felt they were above the law because they were actually recalcitrant. It smirks of impunity if the Ministry of Physical Planning sends you a contravention order, sends you a seal order and you continue with the construction in violation of the safety of all of us in Ogun State,” he said.
“They sent you a demolition order, but you still did not respond. You begin to sneak into the building at night. You begin to work there. You begin to attempt to grease palms so that they can overlook your contraventions. But, of course, the day of reckoning would always come.”
Governor Abiodun commended officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning for standing their ground despite immense pressure.
According to him, the state government has been demolishing illegal properties with no noise about it. Governor Abiodun wondered why issues have arisen over the recent demolition, saying the state laws must be followed to the latter irrespective of social status.
He warned owners of structures without authorised documents from the state government agencies that his government won’t tolerate illegality.