March 18, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has dismissed claims by the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, that his cement factory was demolished twice during the Amosun administration, labelling the allegations as “deliberate mischief.”
In a statement titled, “Re: Government Demolished My Cement Factory Twice,” signed by Lanre Akinwale of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun Media Office, the former governor challenged Dangote to “avail the public of the requisite approvals for the construction of the structures he alleged were demolished.”
Amosun emphasised that his government operated under the principle that “there could not be two governments in a state”, asserting that Dangote could not operate “above the law or under a different set of laws.”
“However, while we await his response, we state unequivocally that not all Nigerians can be compromised, bullied, or blackmailed. The notion that everyone has a price applies only to individuals with weak foundations and questionable upbringing.
“This is why some of us will continue to uphold high standards in all our undertakings, irrespective of whose ox is gored”, the statement read.
The former governor recalled that Dangote had previously praised the Amosun administration during the commissioning of his Ibese Cement factory, crediting the government for “promoting investments in Ogun State and facilitating the factory’s commencement after eight years of frustration under prior administrations.”
“We assume an average person understands how government functions through ministries, departments and agencies, each exercising mandates over specific responsibilities, including approvals for physical development.
“We urge Alhaji Dangote to disclose the relevant approvals for the demolished structures. This will help contextualise the issue and clarify his grievances.
“During Senator Amosun’s tenure, Ogun State became Nigeria’s ‘industrial capital,’ attracting over 500 companies and accounting for 75 percent of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the country’s industrial sector—a fact verifiable through public records.
“The World Bank recognised Ogun, as one of Nigeria’s top three states for ease of doing business in 2014, citing reforms in areas like construction permits and property registration.
“Former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, further validated this progress by commissioning multinational projects in the state on five occasions.
“While we refrain from amplifying this mischief, we advise Alhaji Dangote to furnish the public with land acquisition details and planning approvals to enable constructive dialogue.”
