The Return: Edo APC Secures Secretariat In High-Stakes Recovery

The Return: Edo APC Secures Secretariat In High-Stakes Recovery

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has finally regained control of its secretariat at 59 Airport Road, Benin City, following a dramatic four-year standoff with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The takeover, which took place on Thursday, marked the end of a contentious battle that began in 2020 when the APC was allegedly forcefully evicted from the property under the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, who had defected to the PDP.

A Bold Move and a Heated Past

Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, the Chairman of Edo APC, addressed journalists shortly after reclaiming the secretariat. He explained that the property had always belonged to the APC, highlighting that the party had secured a seven-year lease extension before the eviction. According to Tenebe, the PDP, with the backing of Obaseki’s administration, took over the secretariat in a “military-style operation,” destroying APC property and commandeering vehicles.

Tenebe revealed that the APC had sought intervention from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in 2020, but local law enforcement, under the influence of the then governor, had obstructed their access to the premises.

Police Presence at the Scene

The secretariat’s reclamation was supported by a contingent of senior police officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Ben Abang, who arrived to ensure a smooth handover and assess the situation.

When contacted, the Acting Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Edo, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, declined to comment, stating that the party chairman would issue a statement in due course.

Legal Background

This development follows a March 2021 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which overturned a previous Federal High Court judgment that had ruled against the APC’s relocation of the secretariat. The appellate court emphasized that decisions regarding the location or relocation of a party’s secretariat fall under internal party affairs, beyond the jurisdiction of the courts.

The judgment also upheld the expulsion of Kenneth Asekomhe, a former APC deputy chairman in Edo, ruling that he lacked the legal standing to challenge party decisions.

A New Era for Edo APC?

This reclamation represents a significant symbolic victory for the APC in Edo State, signaling a renewed effort to reassert its influence. As the political landscape continues to shift, the APC’s regained stronghold could prove pivotal in the state’s political future.

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