A heated war of words has erupted between former Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, over claims that Amosun twice demolished Dangote’s cement factory structures in Itori, Ogun State.
Reacting to Dangote’s allegations made during his visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Amosun has challenged the billionaire to provide public evidence of government approvals for the structures he claims were destroyed.
In a statement released by his Media Office and signed by Lanre Akinwale, Amosun dismissed the claims as misleading.
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.”
Amosun emphasized that all serious governments operate through Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), which handle physical development approvals.
“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 understand what exactly his grouse is.”
Asserting that no individual, regardless of wealth or power, is above the law, Amosun reminded the public that Dangote once praised his administration for its support of investments in Ogun State.
“At the commissioning of his Ibese Cement factory, Dangote praised the Amosun administration to high heavens for its promotion of investments in Ogun State and for facilitating the commencement of the cement factory after eight years of frustration under previous administrations.”
Amosun noted that his administration attracted over 500 companies to Ogun State, making it Nigeria’s “Industrial Capital” and accounting for 75% of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the industrial sector.
He urged Dangote to present documents proving ownership and planning approvals for the demolished structures, warning 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.”
Concluding with a strong remark, Amosun dismissed the idea that wealth can buy influence, stating:
“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.”
