The Labour Party has accused the Ogun State Government of allegedly selling government-owned housing assets, a claim the state government has firmly denied.
The party’s National Vice Chairman (South-West), Abayomi Arabambi, alleged that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun was disposing of public housing properties, including the Ibara Housing Estate in Abeokuta and assets under the control of the Ogun State Housing Corporation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Labour Party accused the government of what it described as the reckless disposal of public assets built with taxpayers’ funds, warning that such actions could threaten the future of affordable housing in the state.
Arabambi described the alleged sale of the Ibara Housing Estate as an attack on the state’s collective heritage, claiming that estates originally designed for civil servants and low-income residents were being transferred to private interests through opaque arrangements.
He further alleged that the Ogun State Housing Corporation, established nearly five decades ago to address housing deficits, was being weakened through the sale of its assets.
The party also faulted the state government for what it described as a lack of transparency, insisting that residents, labour unions, the House of Assembly and traditional institutions were not adequately consulted before the alleged decisions were taken.
According to the Labour Party, the government should prioritise road construction, rehabilitation of existing housing facilities and strengthening the Housing Corporation, rather than selling public estates.
Arabambi called on prominent Ogun indigenes, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Wole Soyinka, former governor Olusegun Osoba and traditional rulers such as the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, to intervene and prevail on the governor to halt the alleged sales.
The party demanded an immediate suspension of all housing asset disposals, full disclosure of beneficiaries in line with Freedom of Information requests, and an independent audit of the Ogun State Housing Corporation. It also warned that legal action would be taken if its demands were ignored.
Reacting, the Ogun State Government dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described the claims as misleading and rooted in ignorance of governance and urban development.
Akinmade said the state’s urban renewal programme was focused on modernising Government Reserved Areas and upgrading infrastructure, noting that the initiative had attracted commendation from notable Nigerians.
He maintained that the programme was not about selling public heritage but about improving living standards and modernising cities in line with global best practices.
