BENIN CITY – Renewed tensions have gripped Edo State as reports of a surreptitious plan by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to sell the historic Edo House in Lagos have sparked public outcry, with critics labeling the move a “calculated assault” on the state’s heritage.
The controversy surrounding the property, located at 1225 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, comes at a time when the Edo State House of Assembly is reportedly on recess, coinciding with ongoing political party primary elections.
Stakeholders claim this legislative vacuum is being exploited to fast-track the controversial disposal of the asset.
The “Civic Centre” Narrative: A Smoke Screen?
The state government has allegedly justified the potential sale by claiming the property is an underutilized financial drain, suggesting that proceeds from a disposal would be redirected toward the construction of a new state civic centre in Benin City.
However, legal and financial experts are casting doubt on this narrative. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a legal practitioner who reviewed the 2025 fiscal records told Standarddailypress.com that the government’s stated project appears absent from the state’s official books.
”The proposed mall or civic centre is a phantom project,” the source alleged. “It is nowhere to be found in the 2025 Edo State approved budget. This is a classic deception tactic designed to pacify the public while they move to liquidate a prime, high-value asset for the benefit of a select few.”
A History of Contention
Edo House remains one of the most prominent institutional symbols of the state outside its borders, representing the legacy of the late Samuel Ogbemudia and other foundational leaders.
Its valuation has been estimated by various analysts to be in the range of hundreds of millions, if not approaching $1 billion USD given its prime location in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.
This is not the first time the property has faced the threat of liquidation. Similar attempts in 2006 and during the 2013–2014 tenure of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole faced fierce resistance, resulting in protracted legal battles and public protests that ultimately forced previous administrations to stall their plans.
Fears of a “Political Cartel”
The latest alert, which has been circulating among civil society groups, alleges that a consortium of influential political actors—including former governor and top-ranking party officials—are positioning themselves to acquire the property at a “cheap rate” through surrogates.
Critics argue that the current political climate, characterized by intense party primaries, has created a window of opportunity for these actors to operate in the shadows.
”We are not looking at a government serving the people; we are looking at a cartel,” an activist stated during a press briefing earlier this week. “They are attempting to strip us of our common patrimony under the guise of fiscal reform.”
Legislative Silence and Public Vigilance
With the Edo State House of Assembly currently out of session, there is no legislative oversight to verify the authenticity of these claims or to demand transparency regarding the disposal of public assets.
The Edo State Public Property Protection Law, signed by Governor Okpebholo in late 2025, mandates stringent penalties for the unauthorized sale of state assets. However, critics argue that the law is being weaponized against unauthorized encroachment while failing to prevent high-level official maneuvering.
As of the time of this report, the Edo State Commissioner for Information has yet to release a formal response to these allegations.
For now, a broad coalition of civil society organizations, legal advocates, and concerned indigenes have vowed to remain vigilant, insisting that Edo House is a symbol of state pride that must remain in the hands of the people.