Kehinde Fajobi
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reclaimed its secretariat on Airport Road, Benin City, which had been occupied by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) since 2020.
The property, initially the APC’s secretariat, was taken over by the PDP following Governor Godwin Obaseki’s defection after his disqualification from contesting the governorship election under the APC.
Speaking on the development, APC state chairman Jarrett Tenebe stated, “About four years ago, APC made a concerted effort to extend the lease on this building, which has always been the APC’s office. If you search on Google, it still shows the APC’s secretariat.”
Tenebe explained that the APC had legally renewed its lease for seven years, facilitated by funds from the party’s national office.
He accused Governor Obaseki and the PDP of forcibly seizing the building and evicting APC members during the takeover.
“When Governor Obaseki defected to the PDP, they used what I describe as military tactics to take over the secretariat, destroy APC property, confiscate vehicles, and eject our members,” Tenebe alleged.
He revealed that despite police support from the Inspector General at the time, the then Edo State Commissioner of Police, allegedly influenced by Obaseki, denied the APC access to the property.
Tenebe, who was deputy chairman during the initial takeover, said reclaiming the secretariat had been a priority since he became chairman. He vowed to resist any future attempts to displace the party.
“Our focus is to redress all the wrongs committed by the PDP and Governor Obaseki,” he stated.