A heated war of words has erupted between former Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, over allegations that the ex-governor twice demolished Dangote’s cement factory structures in Itori, Ogun State
Reacting to Dangote’s claims during his visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Amosun challenged the billionaire to provide public evidence of government approvals for the structures he alleged were destroyed.
In a statement issued by his Media Office and signed by Lanre Akinwale, Amosun dismissed the allegations as misleading, emphasizing that every serious government operates through Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for physical development approvals.
He stated:
“We have just seen a footage in which the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, alleged that his cement factory in Itori, Ogun State, was demolished twice while Senator Ibikunle Amosun served as governor.
“It is on this basis that we want to appeal to Alhaji Dangote to avail the public of the requisite approvals for the construction of the structures he alleged were demolished. This will, at least, help the public put the issue in proper context and for us to know what exactly his grouse is.”
Amosun maintained that no individual, regardless of wealth or influence, is above the law. He recalled that at the commissioning of Dangote’s Ibese Cement factory, the businessman had praised his administration for fostering investments and facilitating the project after eight years of setbacks under previous governments.
He also noted that his administration attracted over 500 companies to Ogun State and was instrumental in making it Nigeria’s ‘Industrial Capital,’ accounting for 75% of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the industrial sector.
In a scathing response, Amosun warned against attempts to manipulate public perception:
“While we will not give vent to this obvious mischief as it is deliberate, we will advise Alhaji Dangote to furnish the public with details of the land acquisition with relevant planning approvals, and let us engage in a constructive conversation therefrom.”
Closing with a defiant remark, Amosun dismissed any notion that wealth could override due process:
“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.”
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
This is getting more interesting