The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has successfully regained control of its secretariat located on Airport Road in Benin City. This development comes after years of contention with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which had occupied the building since 2020 when Governor Godwin Obaseki defected to the PDP.
The secretariat, initially the headquarters of the APC in Edo State, became a bone of contention after Governor Obaseki left the APC. Following his disqualification from contesting for the governorship under the APC, Obaseki joined the PDP, and the party took over the property.
Speaking about the recent takeover, APC state chairman Jarrett Tenebe highlighted that the building legally belongs to the APC. He stated that the party had secured a seven-year lease renewal on the property, facilitated by funds from the APC’s national office, before the PDP’s occupation.
“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 remarked.
Tenebe further alleged that the PDP, influenced by Governor Obaseki, had forcefully taken over the property using what he described as “military tactics.” He claimed that during the takeover, PDP members destroyed APC property, confiscated vehicles, and evicted members from the premises.
At the time, APC leaders reportedly lodged complaints with the Inspector General of Police, who backed their case and ordered that the secretariat be returned to the APC. However, Tenebe explained that the then Commissioner of Police in Edo State, allegedly acting under Governor Obaseki’s influence, prevented the APC from regaining access.
As chairman, Tenebe made reclaiming the secretariat a top priority. He emphasized the APC’s determination to prevent any further encroachment on its assets, saying, “Our focus is to redress all the wrongs committed by the PDP and Governor Obaseki.”
