The attention of patriotic sons and daughters of Edo State has been drawn to disturbing and credible reports of an advanced clandestine arrangement by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to dispose of the historic Edo House located at 1225 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
If these reports are true, then this proposed transaction must be firmly resisted by all well-meaning Edo people, irrespective of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, or senatorial district.
Edo House is not merely a building. It is one of the most visible and enduring institutional assets owned by the people of Edo State outside our homeland — a monumental symbol of vision, administrative foresight, continuity, and the developmental legacy bequeathed to us by earlier generations of purposeful leadership, particularly under the administration of the late Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia and other visionary statesmen of the old Bendel era.
Strategically located in the heart of Victoria Island, along the prestigious Ahmadu Bello Way/Bishop Oluwole axis, Edo House today stands as one of the most valuable state-owned properties in Nigeria, with an estimated market value reportedly approaching one billion United States dollars. Beyond its enormous commercial value, however, the property embodies history, prestige, identity, and the enduring institutional presence of Edo State within Nigeria’s economic capital.
The people of Edo State cannot and must not accept any desperate attempt to mortgage, transfer, concession, or secretly alienate this priceless collective inheritance for narrow political, personal, or sectional interests.
Even more troubling are allegations that politically connected interests and surrogate business consortiums linked to influential power brokers within the state may be positioning themselves to benefit from the proposed transaction. These reports, whether ultimately proven or not, are grave enough to warrant immediate public scrutiny, legislative inquiry, and institutional transparency.
We must also remind the public that this is not the first attempt to dispose of Edo House.
In 2006, attempts by the executive arm of government to sell the property reportedly met stiff resistance from the Edo State House of Assembly amid allegations of secrecy and procedural irregularities.
Between 2013 and 2014, under the administration of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, renewed efforts to privatize the property generated widespread public outrage, legal disputes, and strong opposition from concerned stakeholders.
At the time, legal actions were reportedly commenced, and judicial intervention temporarily restrained the controversial transaction.
Those earlier failed attempts should serve as a clear warning: Edo House is not an expendable political asset. It is a strategic intergenerational inheritance belonging to all Edo people — present and future.
WE THEREFORE CALL ON:
1. The Edo State House of Assembly to immediately commence a transparent investigation into these disturbing reports and take urgent legislative measures to prevent any illegal, suspicious, or non-transparent transfer of Edo House.
2. Traditional rulers, civil society organizations, professional associations, youth groups, market women, religious leaders, and Edo indigenes at home and in the diaspora to rise in collective opposition against any attempt to dispose of this historic asset without broad public consultation and accountability.
3. Lawyers, constitutional advocates, and public-interest litigator so prepare all necessary legal instruments to challenge any transaction or concession arrangement capable of undermining the collective interest of Edo people.
4. The media, anti-corruption agencies, and transparency organizations to subject this matter to rigorous public scrutiny in the interest of accountability and good governance.
Edo House is more than concrete, glass, and steel. It is a symbol of our history, dignity, aspirations, and collective pride as a people.
Any attempt to secretly transfer or compromise this strategic heritage asset under questionable circumstances will be vigorously resisted through all lawful and democratic means available to the people.
Enough of mortgaging our collective inheritance for transient political advantage.
THE PEOPLE OF EDO STATE REJECT ANY PLANNED SALE OF EDO HOUSE.
OUR HERITAGE IS NOT FOR SALE.
A PEOPLE WITHOUT MEMORY RISK LOSING THEIR FUTURE.
SAVE EDO HOUSE NOW!
Concerned Sons and Daughters of Edo State_