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Tag: Gbenga Daniel

  • APC suspends ex-Ogun gov, Gbenga Daniel, Senator Kunle Folarin

    APC suspends ex-Ogun gov, Gbenga Daniel, Senator Kunle Folarin

    The All Progressives Congress, Ogun State chapter, on Tuesday suspended a former governor of the state and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, alongside one of his loyalists, Kunle Folarin.

    The duo were suspended for alleged anti-party misconduct.

    The Director of Publicity of the state chapter of the ruling party, Nuberu Olufemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday.

    According to the statement, the decision to suspend Daniel and Folarin, both members of the APC from Ward 4 and Ward 6 in Sagamu Local Government Area, respectively, was taken at the State Working Committee meeting held on Tuesday and presided over by the state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.

    Their suspension followed the review of the reports of the investigation and disciplinary committees of Ward 4 and Ward 6, set up to probe allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities against the duo.

    The statement partly read, “Ward 4, Sagamu Local Government set up a disciplinary committee on the alleged misconduct bordering on anti-party activities committed by Senator Gbenga Daniel.

    “Similarly, Ward 6, Sagamu Local Government set up a disciplinary committee on the allegations of gross misconduct and anti-party activities allegedly committed by Hon. Kunle Folarin.

    “They wrote to the members under investigation, inviting them to the disciplinary meetings at which they were to be heard and allowed to present evidence in their defence or request pardon from the party.

    “However, both members failed to respond to the invitations extended to them in writing, failed to provide a written defence, and failed to attend the disciplinary meetings at which they were to be given the opportunity to defend themselves.

    “In view of their deliberate and unexplained absence, the committees deliberated as scheduled, heard from the available witnesses, considered the available documentary evidence, and deliberated on the allegations.

    “In addition, the committees received notice that the members under investigation had been harassing party members and warning them against cooperating with the committees.

    “It was further alleged that they had been using their positions within the party to pressure members to withdraw the petitions against them.

    “In view of this development, the committees resolved to protect the integrity of the disciplinary process and to eliminate interference by the members under investigation. Upon due consideration, the committees suspended the members indefinitely, pending further investigation and the outcome of the inquiry.

    “Copies of the letters of indefinite suspension had been sent to the state chairman for consideration and approval of the State Working Committee.

    “The suspensions were based on the members’ failure to cooperate with the investigation and their attempts to pressure party members to withdraw petitions against them. The SWC has ratified the suspensions. The meeting demonstrates the party’s commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding its constitution.”

  • Ogun govt denies sealing ex-Gov’s property

    Ogun govt denies sealing ex-Gov’s property

    The Ogun State Government has stated that it is unaware of the sealing of property belonging to the former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel.

    The Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Mr Tunji Odunlami, disclosed this on Monday during a news conference at the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta.

    Odunlami urged the senator to send a representative to the relevant government office to present documents for verification and obtain the necessary clearance.

    He maintained that the government follows a clear procedure whenever a property is to be sealed.

    Odunlami explained that before sealing, a property is physically marked and a sticker or cross-sign indicating sealing is pasted on it.

    He said the notice pasted was not a sealing notice but a stop and quit notice, directing the property’s representatives to appear for clarification.

    “What we are doing now is no exception. This exercise was done in Abeokuta and is now extended to Shagamu and Ijebu-Ode,” he said.

    He added that it would also be carried out in Ota and Ilaro where there are Government Reserved Areas (GRAs).

    “All building owners served with the notice simply need to visit the issuing office with their permits and documents for verification.

    “As we speak, Sen. Gbenga Daniel has yet to do so or make any representation to that effect,” he said.

    He said the state government has a mandate to enforce physical planning laws daily, guided by law and public good, not the identity of developers.

    The enforcement notices issued, he noted, are part of several issued regularly to support urban development and regulate land use in the public interest.

    “The goal is not to victimise anyone who obeys the law,” Odunlami said, stressing that genuine developers respond through proper channels for plan adjustments or ratifications.

    He added that the government does not concede the stated ages or stages of any development, as the law is very clear on the matter.

    “The state’s physical planning law applies at any time to all developments, including those predating the law, and can be enforced accordingly.

    “Section 73 states that an enforcement notice may be issued regardless of whether the unauthorised development occurred before the commencement of the law,” he explained.

    Odunlami appealed to the former governor to send a representative to present documents for verification and obtain clearance from the relevant office.

    “This invitation extends to everyone served with an enforcement notice, whether in Shagamu, Ijebu-Ode or elsewhere in Ogun,” he said.

  • You’re not above the law, your house must be demolished”-Ogun govt tells Ex- Gov Gbenga Daniel

    You’re not above the law, your house must be demolished”-Ogun govt tells Ex- Gov Gbenga Daniel

    The Ogun State Government has dismissed accusations of political persecution from former governor and current senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, insisting that recent demolition notices served on some of his properties are part of a routine urban renewal exercise.

    In a statement, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, clarified that the notices were issued as part of an ongoing development audit in the Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode Government Reserved Areas, which affects numerous property owners, not just Daniel.

    The dispute erupted after Daniel’s media office alleged that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration was engaging in “malicious and vindictive abuse of power” by targeting his Sagamu private residence, The Asoludero Court, and Conference Hotels Limited. The notices, served on Friday, August 8, reportedly cited the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2022. Daniel’s camp argued the government was attempting to apply the law retroactively to buildings constructed as far back as 2004. They also linked the move to the 2023 demolition of a property belonging to Daniel’s wife in Ijebu-Ode.

    Akinmade rejected the claims as “blatant distortions of facts,” stressing that the process was lawful and non-discriminatory.

    “All Otunba Gbenga Daniel needs to do, just like every other person in a similar situation, is to present his planning permit and land title to the relevant government agency for verification within the specified time, rather than resorting to cheap blackmail,” Akinmade stated.

    He further underscored the government’s stance on equality before the law: “Nobody is bigger than the State. Senator Gbenga Daniel is distinguished, no doubt, but he is not bigger than Ogun State. He should submit himself unreservedly to the same laws he once swore twice to uphold.”

    The statement also reminded the former governor that such audits were conducted even during his administration, urging him to avoid framing routine governance processes as personal attacks from the current government.

  • Ex-Ogun governor’s wife describes Plaza demolition as Executive recklessness

    Ex-Ogun governor’s wife describes Plaza demolition as Executive recklessness

    Mrs Olufunke Daniel, wife of former Ogun Gov. Gbenga Daniel, has tackled Ogun government over the demolition of her 5-storey DATKEM plaza in Ijebu-Ode, describing the act as executive recklessness.

    Mrs. Daniel stated this on Sunday in a release issued by her lawyer, Mr Adeyinka Kotote (SAN), of PAGE Law office and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta.

    Agents of the Ogun government in the early hours of Sunday, demolished DATKEM plaza in Ijebu Ode, belonging to Mrs. Daniel.

    According to the release, the legal firm expressed shock that the state government ignored a court order served on its agents on Thursday, September 7, asking them to stop all actions on the building.

    “This matter began when the Ogun State Planning and Development Authority agents entered the building premises on August 1 without any prior notice.

    “Interestingly, a quit notice was only served on August 31 by the same Planning and Development Authority, asking the owner to vacate the premises within three days.

    “However, DATKEM applied for unsealing and regularisation of the building on August 2 and paid the mandatory fee of N500,000 to the Ogun state government. We have evidence of this payment.

    “We were shocked and astonished therefore that the Ogun state government ignored the ongoing legal process and went ahead to demolish the complex in the early hours of Sunday. We want to believe that the State Attorney General’s advice was ignored on this matter,” Kotote said.

    “Our clients, as law-abiding citizens of Ogun state, will continue to seek redress in the courts. Even when our clients have suffered unimaginable and huge losses as a result of this illegal demolition, we will not relent in pursuing justice in the courts,” he said.

    He added that he believed Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun was not informed of this illegality.

    “But if he was informed and still decided to use the instrument of the state against our clients, it is nothing but executive recklessness. But we will continue to fight for justice and ensure that our clients get justice,” the release said.

    in a reaction, the Ogun government said that DATKEM Plaza, Ijebu-Ode, was an Illegal structure which contravened Ogun Physical Planning laws.

    The state government, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olayiwola Abiodun, said the structure violated the building codes of the state with numerous defects.

    Abiodun explained that several efforts made by the state government to halt further development on the site were ignored by the developers.

    He said government officials requested the structural engineer in charge of the building to avail the state with the structural equilibrium of the building, a request that was ignored.

    He recalled the various incidences of building disasters across the country, adding that the state government would not fold its arm and allow such occurrence.

    According to the permanent secretary, what the government did in partially pulling down the defective building was to be proactive.

    Abiodun challenged the owners of the structure to produce evidence of government approval in their possession.

    He said for a commercial building of that status, there must be parking space to accommodate vehicular traffic within and outside the facility for workers and visitors.

    “The provision of the law is that 45 to 50 per cent of available land is for construction as a buildable area. The building lacked stage certification, which is usually issued at every stage of construction.

    “Owners were served the necessary notices, including abatement, contravention, stop work and demolition between May and October 2022, which were ignored.

    “DATKEM Enterprises Limited submitted application for an office building, located along Ibadan Road, Ijebu Ode, in 2009 with registration number CB/05/299/2009.

    “The proposal was for five (5) floors with airspace of 3 metres at the right, 5 metres at the left, 5 metres at the rear and a setback of 32.5516 metres to the middle of Ijebu Ode/Ibadan road, Ijebu-Ode.

    “The Zonal Town Planning Office observed during routine monitoring that the construction did not conform with the plan granted as there was a deviation from the airspaces and setback.

    “In addition, the building had been modified and enlarged with an additional storey building at the back thereby becoming over density.

    “In view of the above, a contravention notice with Serial No. 0106983 was served on 24th May, 2022. Stop Work Order with Serial No. 000623 was served on May 24, 2022.

    “Another Stop Work Order with Serial No. 001065 was served on July 22, 2022, when the first notice was ignored. Demolition Notice with Serial No. 0007549 was served on October 11, 2022,” he said.

    The statement also indicated that despite all these notices, the developer was recalcitrant and continued with the construction work.

    “This prompted the re-sealing of the site on August 1, 2023. But the sealing did not stop the developer from further construction as work continued on the site.

    “However, the developer wrote an appeal for unsealing, which was considered so as to evacuate the belongings in the premises. Thereafter, quit notice with Serial No. 0030750 was served on August 31, 2023.

    “In view of the fact that the developer had remained recalcitrant, the Zonal Town Planning Office’s recommendation for the demolition of the office building was upheld,” he added.

    Abiodun reiterated state government’s commitment to ensure the safety of its citizens, adding that any defective building in any part of the state would be demolished to safeguard the lives of the people.

    NAN

  • Nigerian Governor demolishes Predecessor’s Plaza

    Nigerian Governor demolishes Predecessor’s Plaza

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has authorised the demolition of DATKEM Plaza, a property owned by Olufunke Daniel, the wife of former governor now senator, Gbenga Daniel.

    The building, located at Folagbade Street in Ijebu Ode, was set to be commissioned at the end of this month.

    Though, it was gathered that Ogun State government had issued contravention notice to contractors working on the building about three days ago.

    According to the project manager, Olusegun Lawal, some of the contravention, according to the notice by government included; inadequate parking space, inadequate muster point, and inadequate airspace.

    Lawal said construction of the five-story building began in 2009 with full approval from the relevant authorities.

    Lawal added that “the building boasted a ground floor and mezzanine equipped with a fully-fledged banking hall, complete with bank trap doors and a CHUBB Strong Room.

    Other features included a Kone Elevator installed by Kresta Laurel Ltd, brand new split air conditioners from Holomicool Nig Ltd, a 150kVA generator set, and a transformer.

    The plaza also had a fire-fighting system installed by Flory Ltd, with external cladding completed by Vertex Nig Ltd. Building supervision was entrusted to qualified and certified engineers, Engr. A Lawal and Engr. Ibraheem Shonde, among others.

    Speaking on the development, an aide to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Steve Oliyide said the building was not demolished, but it was vandalized.

    According to Oliyide, the vandalization, which lasted from 2am till 5am was carried out by thugs loyal to the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and were given police protection by ACP Edward Omosoyin with seven armed policemen in twenty vehicles.

    “Dapo Abiodun was said to be in Ijebu Ode yesterday with Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila to see the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

    “Town planners that were contacted say they don’t work at night and not even on Sunday. One of Dapo Abiodun’s thugs, Efele was said to be patrolling the area all through yesterday.

    “The operation was led by ACP Edward Omosoyin with seven armed policemen in twenty vehicles and personally supervised the destruction.

    “He called the DPOs that they have a special operation by 2am. The destruction was done by thugs headed by Efele and other thugs.

    “So, it is logical that Dapo Abiodun’s thugs are the one who attacked the building to enforce an illegal order and they are being protected by the Police. It is also true that the Town Planners who refused to sign the Order because the demolition cannot be justified were threatened and the one who collected a response letter from the builder has been placed on suspension.

     

  • Stop my monthly pension – Senator Gbenga Daniel writes Gov. Abiodun

    Stop my monthly pension – Senator Gbenga Daniel writes Gov. Abiodun

    Former Ogun State Governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has written to  the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun to stop the monthly pension being paid to him by the State government.

    Daniel made this known in a letter titled, ‘Request To Suspend My Monthly Pension and Allowances’, Daniel asked that the N676,376.95 pension/allowances he is entitled to as a former governor be suspended.

    He added that he asked that his pension be suspended in compliance with his conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator, who hitherto was a former State governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such a state.

    Daniel,  was inaugurated alongside other Senators on June 13 at the National Assembly.

    The Senator noted that he had not benefitted from any welfare packages, be it medical, furniture, transportation and others since he left office in 2011.

    The letter addressed to Gov Abiodun read: “I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of 676,376.95 (gross) (Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy-Six Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo) being paid as a former Executive Governor of Ogun State.

    “This request is in compliance with my conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hitherto was a former State Governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such state.

    “It would be recalled that on Tuesday 13th June 2023, I was, with other elected Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, inaugurated as members of the 10th National Assembly.

    “It is pertinent to also have it on record that since I left the office in 2011, I have not benefitted from any welfare packages be it Medical, Furniture, transportation etc. Thanks in anticipation.”

  • 2023: Daniel, Amosun are selfless leaders – Adebutu

    2023: Daniel, Amosun are selfless leaders – Adebutu

    Adebutu also heaped praises on Senator Ibikunle Amosun for being a selfless leader who was properlyand  politically bred.

    The Remo politician is currently the senatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East, even after he claimed to have withdrawn from partisan politics in 2019.

    But, Adebutu has expressed confidence that Daniel will return to the PDP very soon.

    Adebutu noted that the former governor performed well in Office and said that he didn’t like the fact that he defected to the APC.

    Addressing a crowd of supporters in Abeokuta, Adebutu said: “Our leader, Gbenga Daniel, when he was elected, he did very well. The only thing we are not happy with was that he left the PDP. But very soon, he will return to the PDP. Very soon, he will come back. Check the time. This is three o’clock. You will recall that a prophet had said it today.”

    Speaking about Amosun, the governorship candidate said the immediate past governor also did well while in power.

    According to him, Amosun’s achievement could be attributed to the fact that he was a member of the PDP.

    “During Amosun’s administration, he did excellently well. He built roads and bridges that would last hundred years. He is our leader. Senator Amosun should forgive us if we have done anything wrong,” he stated.

    Ibikunle Amosun is a Nigerian politician, former governor of Ogun State and two-term senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He first served as an elected senator for Ogun Central district of Ogun State, Nigeria from April 2003 to April 2007, and reelected in 2019.

    He left the PDP for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007, when he contested the governorship seat with Daniel, who was seeking a second term then.

  • APC National Convention: Skeptics will be proven wrong – Gbenga Daniel

    APC National Convention: Skeptics will be proven wrong – Gbenga Daniel

    A former Ogun Governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel, says skeptics will be proven wrong at the end of Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention.

    Daniel told NAN on Saturday at Eagles Square, Abuja, venue of the convention, that APC was a great party.

    ”APC is a very big party. We are going to have a safe convention at the end of the day,” he said.

    The APC chieftain said that the exercise would be successful, while the outcome would be acceptable to all.

    The former governor said, ” Where there is consensus, it is okay, and where there is none, election will peacefully hold.”

    According to him, all the ‘big names’ in Ogun are in APC.

    ”’We are one family,” he added.

  • Lai Mohammed, Makarfi, Peter Obi, Gbenga Daniel, others for Freedom Online 4th annual lecture

    Lai Mohammed, Makarfi, Peter Obi, Gbenga Daniel, others for Freedom Online 4th annual lecture

    All roads lead to the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday March 22 as Freedom Online, one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing online newspapers, hosts its fourth annual lecture.

    A statement by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Gabriel Akinadewo, says the Guest Speaker is Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, will chair the session, while the Keynote Speaker is former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

    Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, is the Special Guest Speaker while former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, is the Special Guest of Honour.

    Other guests to grace the occasion include former Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Omoniyi Olubolade (rtd); the immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; Prof. Akin Onigbinde and others.

    The statement by Akinadewo says the lecture is an annual event “that brings together captains of industry, media chiefs, politicians and professionals to reflect on national issues and propose objective course of action. We have always been forthright on matters of Nigeria’s progress and future.

    “Since the first edition of our annual lecture, we have been inspired by the commitment of our guests and Nigerians in the quest for a better country through advocacy. We believe this time around, the same zeal will be deployed to ensuring that Nigeria takes its rightful place in the comity of nations”.

  • Osinbajo, Jonathan, Fayemi, others attend Gbenga Daniel daughter’s wedding

    Osinbajo, Jonathan, Fayemi, others attend Gbenga Daniel daughter’s wedding

    Top political officials and other prominent Nigerians from all walks of life, on Saturday identified with the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel at the Holy Matrimony of his daughter, Kehinde Abioye Daniel and her husband, Adebola Tokunbo Williams.

    The ceremony which was held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, witnessed the presence of prominent Nigerians including the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan.

    Others in the event include Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and Ekiti State Governor, Dr.Kayode Fayemi and others.

     

    Preaching during the holy matrimony, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu counselled the newly wedded couple to toe the path of God in order to enjoy a successful marriage.

    Other dignitaries at the Church Service included Pastor Tunde Bakare, Hon Minister of State for Health, Sen.Olorunimbe and several others.