Demand for Public Enquiry into abuse of power,political persecution and violation of human Rights by the Governor of Ogun state,Prince Dapo Abiodun
Being full text of Press Conference addressed by Civil Society Coalition in Defence of Democracy(CSCDD)
Preamble
CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION IN DEFENCE OF DEMOCRACY (CSCDD) is a platform of activists and concerned stakeholders committed to the enthronement of good governance, promotion of democratic principles and defence of human rights in pursuance of the overriding objective socio-political and economic advancement in Nigeria. A core mandate of CSCDD is the engagement of actors in the political and democratic spaces towards enhancing good governance, transparent and accountable leadership as well as to advocate compliance with best practices in line with the dictates of rule of law in the interest of peace and stability of the society.
Gentlemen and ladies of the Press,
You are certainly aware of the recent development in Ogun State with respect to the growing culture of political persecution and flagrant abuse of power by His Excellency, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun. We are gravely concerned that the situation in Ogun State, if allowed to degenerate, is capable of undermining democracy and public peace. In view of this, we were compelled to present a petition to the Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) on Tuesday, September 25, 2023 through the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo. We drew the attention of OGHA to the ongoing political persecution against the former governor and serving Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel as well as the immediate past Chairman of Ogun Ijebu East Local Government Area, Mr. Wale Adedayo who is presently detained upon purported impeachment.
We consider it pertinent to address the press on the issue raised in our petition and to further call on Ogun State House of Assembly to act with urgency to safeguard democracy by calling Governor Dapo Abiodun to order. We wish to again reiterate that political persecution of individuals, irrespective of disagreement or misgivings, has no place in democracy and should not be condoned under whatever guise. The prevailing situation portends danger for democracy and cast the Gateway State in bad light. We therefore urged OGHA in exercise of its powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
On the night of Saturday, September 9, 2023, a property; Datkem Plaza belonging to Yeye Olufunke, the wife of Otunba Gbenga Daniel was arbitrarily targeted for demolition by agents of the Ogun State Government who, without doubt, acted on the instruction of Prince Dapo Abiodun. The 5-storey plaza situated in Ijebu-Ode and nearing completion for scheduled commissioning in this month of September was invaded at about 3am. The property was vastly destroyed on the pretext of enforcing a notice of demolition which, at the time of the condemnable act, was already being addressed by the relevant agency in charge. Prior to the invasion of the premises in dead of the night, the contractors and supervisors on site not only complied with building regulations and specifications. There was therefore no justifiable reason for the malicious destruction.
Comrade Sina Loremikan
Based on the documents available to us, the invasion of the premises of Datkem Plaza by agents acting on the instruction of Governor Dapo Abiodun was most unfortunate considering that personnel of relevant agencies granted the approval and monitored the construction activities. The invasion and the destruction of the property therefore smacks of abuse of power and deliberate act of witch-hunting. There was no justification for such arbitrary display of power considering that relevant agencies in charge of building construction in Ogun State were properly briefed on progress of works with all regulations strictly complied with by contractors and supervisors on site.
As at the time of the invasion and destruction of the 5-storey building, the following facilities were already in place in anticipation of commissioning:
A ground floor for Banking hall fully fitted with Bank Trap doors, and CHUBB Strong Room.
Installed Kone Elevator
No fewer than 80 brand new Split Air-conditioners already completely installed
150kVA Generator set
Power transformer
Fire Fighting System by Flory Ltd
We are also worried by the continued harassment of now detained Mr. Wale Adedayo whose impeachment as Local Government Chairman was orchestrated by Prince Dapo Abiodun. We are particularly worried that OGHA appears to have abdicated it roles in the administration of local government in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are disturbed that OGHA appears to have relinquished its oversight functions by failing to investigate the allegations made by Mr. Wale Adedayo with respect to diversion of public fund.
Our position is that that OGHA ought to investigate the serious allegation of diversion of local government funds made by Mr. Wale Adedayo so as to ascertain the veracity of his claims as expected under a democratic setting. To this extent, we consider the harassment and persecution of Mr. Wale Adedayo by Governor Dapo Abiodun as flagrant abuse of power that ought not to be tolerated. It is evident that Governor Dapo Abiodun is deploying intimidation to divert public attention from the allegations of Mr. Wale Adedayo. We therefore condemn continued harassment of Mr. Wale Adedayo whose allegations of financial impropriety against Governor Dapo Abiodun is neither yet to be investigated nor adjudged to be fallacious. It reeks of abuse of power to ignore issues relating to financial impropriety by deploying intimidation and persecution by state security agencies.
We therefore unequivocally condemn any form of politically motivated persecution, vindictiveness and executive lawlessness as presently the case in Ogun State. The prevailing development in Ogun State undermines democracy and corrodes the political space and may degenerate with undesirable consequences. We therefore call on OGHA to urgently intervene to arrest the drift in the interest of democracy and peace in the Gateway State. We therefore make the following demands on OGHA as a matter of urgency:
Mr. Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun should be called to order with the view to put an end to the spate of political persecution and intimidation in Ogun State.
Cases of political persecution against former governor Gbenga Daniel and former Local Government Chairman, Wale Adebayo should be investigated with the public availed feedback on the findings.
A public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the destruction of Datkem Plaza should be instituted by OGHA with the view to establishing the truth and to ensure that justice is done.
Allegations of financial impropriety against Governor Dapo Abiodun by Mr. Wale Adedayo should be investigate through public inquiry so as to avail the public the true position in the interest of truth, democracy and justice.
An end to continued harassment of Mr. Wale Adedayo by security agencies must be demanded by OGHA as matter of priority and urgency.
Thanks for your attention!
Yours in the struggle for a better society under a democratic system,
- On behalf of
Civil Society Coalition in Defence of Democracy
