The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has successfully reclaimed its secretariat, located at 59 Airport Road, Benin City, four years after it was allegedly taken by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In a press briefing following the takeover, the Acting State Chairman of APC, Jarret Tenebe, expressed his satisfaction at fulfilling one of his promises to the party. He alleged that the APC was forcefully evicted from the secretariat in 2021 by PDP with the assistance of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who had since defected to the opposition party.
“The property rightfully belongs to us,” Tenebe said. “We had renewed the lease for seven years before the PDP took over, destroying our properties and seizing our vehicles during the eviction. I vowed to return all properties taken from the party and today, we have done just that by reclaiming this secretariat.”
Tenebe also reiterated his commitment to winning the governorship election for APC in the state, referencing the recent election victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo as a major step toward restoring the party’s influence in Edo.
“The reclaiming of this secretariat is a symbol of our renewed strength. We are going to remodel this building into an APC official office and will resist any attempt to displace us from this or any of our properties,” Tenebe vowed.
He added that the party would immediately begin renovations, including repainting the secretariat in the APC’s official colors. The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Ben Abang, was present at the site, accompanied by senior police officers, to oversee the process.
The PDP’s caretaker committee chairman in the state, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, was reportedly at the secretariat at the time of the takeover but was escorted out by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku. The APC’s leadership has made it clear that they will not tolerate any opposition or interference in their possession of the building.
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