The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has regained possession of its party secretariat at 59, Airport Road, Benin City, four years after it was forcefully taken over by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki.
Speaking at the handover event, APC State Chairman Emperor Jarrett Tenebe declared the moment a victory for the party. He emphasized that the property was rightfully theirs, as they had renewed the rent for seven years prior to the PDP’s alleged forced eviction in 2019.
“Four years ago, the APC made a concerted effort to secure this building, which has always served as our secretariat,” Tenebe said. “Despite renewing our rent with funds from our national office, the then-Governor Obaseki, after defecting to the PDP, used force to evict us, destroying our properties and seizing our vehicles.”
Tenebe explained that efforts to regain the property through the police were hindered at the time due to alleged collusion between the former governor and the state’s police commissioner. Now, with the APC back in control of the state, the party has fulfilled its promise to reclaim the secretariat and other assets.
“This is the happiest day of my life,” Tenebe said. “I made two promises upon becoming chairman: to ensure APC takes over the state and to recover all properties taken from us. With Senator Monday Okpebholo as governor and our secretariat back in our hands, we have achieved both.”
The APC plans to remodel the secretariat, repainting it in party colors and reallocating offices to its members. Tenebe also vowed to resist any attempts to displace the party from the property again.
“We are ready to protect what belongs to us and will not tolerate any interference,” he stated firmly.
The event saw the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Ben Abang, who arrived with other senior officers to assess the situation. The State PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, who was on the premises at the time, was escorted out by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
The APC’s successful reclamation of its secretariat marks a significant moment for the party, underscoring its renewed dominance in Edo State politics.
