Edo APC reclaims secretariat, promises to defend party assets

The All Progressives Congress in Edo State announced on Thursday that it had reclaimed its party secretariat in Benin City, four years after it was allegedly forcefully taken over by the Peoples Democratic Party.

Speaking shortly after the takeover, Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, stated that the property rightfully belonged to the APC, as the party had renewed the rent for a seven-year term before the PDP, with the backing of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, forcibly took control of it.

Tenebe explained, “About four years ago, APC made a concerted effort to extend the lease of this building, which has always been our party’s office. If you check Google, you will still see this secretariat listed as the APC’s office.

“The party approached the national office to secure funds for renewing the lease. The national leadership obliged and provided the money for a seven-year renewal. However, when former Governor Obaseki defected to the PDP, they used force to evict us from the secretariat, destroyed our property, and seized our vehicles.

“At the time, we reported the matter to the Inspector General of Police, who directed that we reclaim the secretariat. Unfortunately, the state’s Commissioner of Police, working in tandem with the former governor, refused to allow us access. Back then, I was the APC deputy chairman.”

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Tenebe further noted that when he assumed office as the state chairman, he vowed to reclaim all properties unlawfully taken from the APC by the PDP and Godwin Obaseki’s administration.

He added, “On the day I became chairman, I promised two things: first, to ensure that the APC regains control of the state, and second, to recover all properties taken from the APC.

“A few months ago, the governorship election saw Senator Monday Okpebholo emerge victorious, fulfilling one of my promises. Today, I am fulfilling the second by reclaiming our secretariat. This is the happiest day of my life.”

Tenebe announced that the APC would remodel the secretariat into its official style and vowed to resist any attempts by other groups to displace the party from the property or any of its assets.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Ben Abang, alongside senior officers, visited the secretariat to assess the situation and held discussions with the APC leadership.

Meanwhile, the State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, who was present during the takeover, was escorted off the premises by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku.

When contacted, the State PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, stated that the party would issue an official statement later on Thursday.