Tony Kabaka Adun, youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, has claimed that Governor Monday Okpebholo has promised to rebuild his demolished hotel, sparking widespread criticism across social media platforms.
Adun disclosed this on Thursday, June 12, during a Democracy Day gathering at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, where he stunned attendees, including the governor himself, by revealing the alleged deal.
According to him, the governor and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, had privately assured him earlier that day that his hotel, T. Latifah Hotel and Suites, would be reconstructed using government resources.
His words: “Your Excellency, I want to thank you for your promise.
“I want to tell you all what makes my democracy day today. 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.
“May God bless you all as you join me to celebrate my past lost hotel.”
The video, now widely circulated online, appeared to catch the governor off guard. Okpebholo was visibly unsettled in the video, bowing his head at the high table as Adun made the remarks.
The hotel in question, a multi-million-naira facility located on the Ugbor axis of the GRA in Benin, was demolished by the Godwin Obaseki administration on February 5, 2020.
Authorities at the time alleged the structure was illegally erected on land belonging to a public primary school.
In October 2019, the Edo state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development issued a seven-day demolition notice, which Adun challenged in court.
Justice Daniel Okungbowa, now the state’s chief judge, had issued an ex parte order restraining the government from carrying out the demolition. Despite the order, the building was brought down.
The new claim by Adun that the Okpebholo-led administration would restore the demolished hotel has triggered criticism, with many questioning the use of public funds for a private project.
A social media commentator, Albert Osazee, criticized the promise, pointing out that the hotel was originally built on public land during the tenure of former governor Adams Oshiomhole.
He also accused Adun of blocking a public road to construct a swimming pool for the facility.
“After building the hotel, he discovered that there was no swimming pool in it, and that was why he blocked the road to construct the swimming pool.
“Let us see how Governor Monday Okpebholo will block the road again that had since been reopened by former governor Godwin Obaseki to rebuild the hotel,” Osazee said.
“I pity Governor Okpebholo because what was supposed to be private and secret discussions and promises, the APC youth leader has publicly exposed them.
“Edo people, let us be vigilant and see how the governor will use the taxpayers’ money to rebuild a hotel for the APC youth leader on government land and a public road,” he added.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
