By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi / posted September 3, 2025
Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 elections’ group,the Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation has accused the Ogun State Government, under Governor Dapo Abiodun, of undermining judicial processes and harassing opposition figures through issuance of frivolous Notice of Default on a property owned by his opponent. The property, located in Ode Remo, Remo North Local Government Area, faces a N72,867,004.15 land use and amenities charge, with the government threatening enforcement within seven days if unpaid.
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In a press statement issued on September 1, 2025, signed by Afolabi Orekoya, Director of Media and Publicity, Adebutu described the move as a “clear misuse of state power” to silence opposition voices ahead of the 2027 elections. The statement noted that the land use charge dispute has been in litigation since 2018, with two ongoing cases HCS/275/2018, scheduled for October 8, 2025, and HCS/409/2024, pending without a fixed date at the High Court of Justice, Sagamu. The organisation called the government’s enforcement attempt “laughable and contemptuous of the judiciary,” alleging the notice was posted without proper property assessment, violating Ogun State’s Land Use and Amenities Charge laws.
This controversy seems to be following a pattern of targeting opponents. It will be recalled that a similar dispute involving former Governor and current Senator Gbenga Daniel, who accused the Abiodun administration of political persecution after receiving contravention and demolition notices on August 8, 2025, for his properties, including Asoludero Court, Conference Hotels Limited, and its annex in Sagamu. Daniel condemned the actions as a “malicious and vindictive abuse of power,” citing the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2022 as being retroactively applied to properties built as early as 2004. On August 12, 2025, a Sagamu High Court issued an ex-parte order restraining the state from demolishing Daniel’s properties, pending further hearings.
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Adebutu’s organisation condemned the government’s actions as an attempt to “weaponize state agencies” against political rivals, urging Governor Abiodun to focus on governance and infrastructure development. “Ogun State would be better served if the same energy was channeled into providing quality governance and real service to the people,” Orekoya stated, calling on residents to resist “intimidation tactics” and defend democracy.
The Ogun State Government has denied allegations of political witch-hunting. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information, dismissed Adebutu’s claims, stating that land use charges are statutory and applied uniformly, citing a similar notice served on Rockcity FM. Commissioner for Urban and Regional Planning, Tunji Odunlami, defended the actions against Daniel as part of a routine urban renewal audit, urging him to submit property documents for verification. “Nobody is above the law,” Odunlami said, emphasizing that the process was also conducted during Daniel’s tenure as governor.
Political analysts suggest these disputes reflect a broader power struggle within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and between the ruling party and opposition, particularly as Governor Abiodun is rumored to be eyeing the Ogun East senatorial seat currently held by Daniel in 2027. The suspension of Daniel by the Ogun APC in August 2025 for alleged anti-party activities has further intensified tensions.
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Both Adebutu and Daniel have vowed to pursue legal action, with Adebutu’s camp arguing that the government’s actions undermine democracy and Daniel seeking to protect his properties through court orders. As Ogun State approaches the 2027 elections, these incidents highlight growing concerns over political intimidation and the rule of law.