There was mild drama in Edo State on Thursday after the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced the successful recapture of the party secretariat reportedly occupied by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) four years ago.
Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, in a speech shortly after his party took over the secretariat, said the property legally belonged to the APC.
The party pointed out that the party had extended the lease for another seven years before the PDP forcibly confiscated it with the help of the then Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Naija News has learned that when the APC reasserted control of its secretariat located at 59 Airport Road, Benin City, the PDP caretaker committee chairman, Mr. Anthony Agiegbemi, and the state House of Assembly speaker, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, I found out that he was in the office. .
Mr. Tenebe further said that taking back the secretariat from the PDP was one of his commitments when he assumed the role of Acting National Chairman.
He further stated that another important promise is to ensure the party’s victory in the next gubernatorial election.
“About four years ago, APC made a desperate effort to extend the rent of this particular building, which has always been an APC office. ”, Teneve said.
“The state party approached the national office to arrange for us to pay for the use of this facility for many more years.The state obliged us and sent us money to renew it for seven years. He gave it to me.
“Then Governor Godwin Obaseki retreated to the PDP and took us out of this secretariat by military means. Destroyed all our properties, took away our vehicles and removed us from this place. I kicked him out.
“I took office with a determination to take back the nation and right all the wrongs committed by the PDP and Godwin Obaseki.
“The day I became the state party chairman, I made two promises to my loyal party members: I would ensure that the APC took over the state, and I would ensure that all properties taken from the APC were returned to the APC. .
“Everyone can attest that a few months ago, there was a gubernatorial election in this state and Senator Monday Okpebolo was sworn in as governor, fulfilling one of the promises I made to my party members.
“Today is the happiest day of my life as I have fulfilled my second promise to the party to ensure that all properties taken from the APC are returned. That is why we are here today. This is to take over the secretariat that was forcibly taken away.”
He said the party intends to convert the building into an official style, while vowing to resist any attempts by any group or vested interest to evict them from the premises or other property. .
“Today we have taken over this secretariat. It is now ours and we will be allotting an office today. Also, this place rightfully belongs to us, so today we will mark this place as APC Colors. I called a painting company to repaint it.
Channels Television quoted the APC chief as saying: “We are ready to resist those who try to make noise and do something with everything we have. “There is,” he said.
