“Obvious Mischief…Provide Public With Requisite Approvals” Amosun Replies Dangote’s Claims Of Demolishing His Plant Twice

Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has responded to allegations by Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, that his administration demolished Dangote’s cement factory in Itori, Ogun State, twice during his tenure.

In a statement issued by Lanre Akinwale on behalf of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun Media Office, the former governor’s camp dismissed Dangote’s claims as “obvious mischief” and challenged him to provide the public with the requisite approvals for the construction of the alleged demolished structures.

“For us, as a government, we believed that there could not be two governments in a state, and Dangote, therefore, could not operate above the law or under a different set of laws,” the statement read.

The media office pointed out that government operations are executed through Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), each with specific mandates, including the regulation of physical development and approvals. It stressed that if the structures in question were indeed demolished, Dangote should present documented evidence of approvals to put the matter into proper context.

The statement also recalled that at the commissioning of the Ibese Cement Factory, Dangote had publicly lauded the Amosun administration for fostering a business-friendly environment, which facilitated the factory’s establishment after what he described as eight years of frustration under previous governments.

Further highlighting the Amosun administration’s track record in promoting industrial growth, the media office noted that Ogun State, under Amosun, attracted over 500 companies and was ranked among the top three states in Nigeria for ease of doing business by the World Bank. The state was also recognized as the “Industrial Capital” of Nigeria, accounting for about 75% of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the country’s industrial sector during Amosun’s tenure.

“This recognition was further given fillip by former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan when he visited Ogun State to commission multinational projects on five different occasions,” the statement added.

While reiterating its position on the matter, the media office advised Dangote to provide details of his land acquisition and relevant planning approvals before engaging in further discussions on the alleged demolitions.

“Not all Nigerians can be compromised, bullied, or blackmailed. The notion that everyone has a price is an expression applicable only to people 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 concluded.