The Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun, has revealed that Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, have promised to reconstruct his hotel that was demolished by the previous administration
According to Daily Post, the hotel — T. Latifah Hotel and Suites — a multi-million naira property located in the Ugbor area of Benin City, was pulled down on February 5, 2020, under the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. The state government had claimed the hotel was built on land belonging to a public primary school, issuing a seven-day demolition notice in October 2019 through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
However, the demolition went ahead despite a restraining order from Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, who was then a judge of the Benin High Court and now serves as the Chief Judge of Edo State. The injunction was issued in a suit filed by Kabaka to prevent the demolition.
Five years after the incident, Kabaka stunned guests at the state’s Democracy Day celebration on June 12 when he publicly announced that Governor Okpebholo had pledged to rebuild the demolished hotel. In a video that has since gone viral, Kabaka referred to the promise as his personal Democracy Day gift.
“Your Excellency, I want to thank you for your promise. What makes my Democracy Day today is that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and Hon. Dennis Idahosa have promised Kabaka that they will rebuild my hotel this morning,” he said.
He praised the governor for not using his powers to victimize anyone or demolish properties without legal grounds — in contrast to what he described as the unjust actions of the previous administration under Obaseki.
Governor Okpebholo, who was seated on the high table during the event, was seen bowing his head and appearing visibly uncomfortable after Kabaka publicly disclosed what was supposed to be a private promise.
The announcement drew mixed reactions online. Albert Osazee, a social media commentator, accused Kabaka of building the hotel illegally on government land and blocking an existing road to construct a swimming pool. He questioned the morality of using state funds to rebuild such a structure.
“Let us see how Governor Monday Okpebholo will block the road again that was reopened by Obaseki just to rebuild that hotel,” Osazee said. “What was supposed to be a secret deal has now been exposed.”
During the event, Kabaka also criticized the current administration for not doing enough to engage youths since taking office.
“We, the youths, have not been properly engaged since September 21, 2024. But we know the government is still young. I plead with the governor and his deputy to carve out something for the youths. We will manage it without fear or favour,” he said.
Kabaka stressed that empowering the youth should be a key focus of governance going forward.
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Mtchews
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