To say that Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, is troubled is an understatement.
This has nothing to do with either his political career or his 2023 senatorial ambition.
Society Watch gathered that OGD, as he is famously known, is distraught and confused over one of his businesses, Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
It’s no longer news that the construction of the hotel had suffered several setbacks and difficulties before its completion. It all began after he left power in 2011. How?
His successor, Ibikunle Amosun, who came under the umbrella of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), had allegedly literally inflicted so much pain on him, as many of his property, including his multimillion naira hotel in the state, were allegedly seized.
Following the recommendation of the Committee set up by Amosun, the government had revoked the Certificates of Occupancy (Cs-of- O) granted to Gateway Front Foundation (GFF) and the Golf Resort Hotels in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The recommendations were contained in the Ogun State of Nigeria Gazette No. 6 Volume 37. The gazette stated that the government of Ogun was taking over the said properties in the public interest, “as there is allegation that state funds were used in the construction of the hotels.”
The government also maintained that “no money shall be paid as compensation to Daniel, GFF or Golf Resort Hotels Ltd until the said allegations are determined.”
Consequently, the hotel was taken over by security personnel, who barred the former governor from gaining access to his private property.
Not only that, the building was looted by hoodlums who carted away virtually everything in the hotels, including air conditioners, refrigerators and bedding materials, among several other things.
Sadly, the architectural masterpiece, which oozed taste and wealth, was in ruins and became a shadow of itself.
But Daniel was said to have heaved a sigh of relief when Amosun left office.
He had gained back the hotel and later launched it, with pomp and fanfare-the event was attended by notable personalities, including the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
But just when Daniel was settling down to reap bountifully where he had sown in sweats, trouble again reared its ugly head.
In May, 2021 a gas explosion occurred at the hotel and it was reported that two people died while three others were said to have sustained several degree of injuries in the explosion.
Confirming the incident, the Hotel Facility Manager, Tunde Osinubi, in a statement, had said the explosion occurred as a result of a fake gas cylinder used while servicing a revolving door at the hotel.
‘’A routine maintenance of the Automatic Revolving Door at the entrance of the hotel reception, which involved the use of oxyacetylene gas to weld the door hinges, was being carried out.
“The oxyacetylene gas cylinder suddenly exploded, killing the technician and one other person.”
Again, last week panic was sent down the spines of customers at the hotels when operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the place to arrest over 60 suspected internet fraudsters during an award ceremony.
A source revealed that since the incident last Sunday, exactly two years after its completion, many of its loyal customers are said to be having a rethink over their patronage.
Another source revealed that this is giving the ex-governor a troubled heart and sleepless nights over the future of his hotel.
