Edo APC Youth Leader, Kabaka, Says Governor Okpebholo Promised to Rebuild His Demolished Hotel

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 rebuild his demolished hotel.

Kabaka made the disclosure on June 12 during the Democracy Day celebration at the Edo State Government House. In a now-viral video shared on his Facebook page, the APC youth leader described the pledge as a special Democracy Day gift.

“Your Excellency, I want to thank you for your promise. What made 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. “May God bless you all as you join me to celebrate my past lost hotel.”

The hotel in question—T. Latifah Hotel and Suites—was demolished on February 5, 2020, by the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. The Edo State Government had earlier issued a demolition notice in October 2019, claiming the building encroached on land belonging to a public primary school in the Ugbor area of GRA, Benin City.

Though a High Court injunction at the time, granted by Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa (now Chief Judge of Edo State), restrained the government from demolishing the property, the order was ignored, and the demolition went ahead.

Speaking further at the event, Kabaka praised the current administration for not engaging in property demolitions without just cause. He contrasted this with the previous government, which he accused of abusing power.

“Governor Okpebholo has not shown us he has power. He has not used the law against the people. Unlike the previous administration that did everything because they had the power,” Kabaka said.

While Governor Okpebholo was seen bowing his head during the public announcement—seemingly uncomfortable with the revelation—some observers have criticized the development.

A social media influencer, Albert Osazee, accused Kabaka of building the hotel on public land and blocking a government road to add a swimming pool. He questioned how the governor intends to rebuild the hotel without repeating the same land encroachment.

“Let us see how Governor Okpebholo will block the road again that was reopened by the former governor,” Osazee said. “I pity the governor, because what should have been a private promise is now public knowledge. Edo people, let’s be vigilant and see whether taxpayer money will be used to rebuild a hotel on public land.”

Kabaka also used the Democracy Day platform to urge the governor to prioritize youth empowerment. He lamented that since the administration began in September 2024, there has been little youth engagement.

“I want to use this opportunity like Oliver Twist to ask for more. I am a state leader of the APC. I beg our governor and his deputy to please listen to our youths. We have not been properly engaged,” he said. “But I know this government just started. We will give you time. If there’s a way you can carve out something for the youths, I’ll be very happy and our youths will drive it without fear or favour.”

He emphasized that involving the youth meaningfully is vital to the success of any government.