The Edo State Government has advanced plans to sell Edo House, its liaison office located at 1225 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, sparking resistance from stakeholders who view the property as a historic and strategic asset.
Confirming the development, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, explained that the building has become a financial burden. “Yes, we just have a building; we are losing money,” he said, noting that the property has depreciated over time and generates no revenue, as rents had been collected upfront by the previous administration.
Afegbua disclosed that proceeds from the sale would be channelled into constructing an International Conference Centre at the Garrick Memorial School grounds in Benin City. He argued that the new facility would serve Edo people better by creating jobs and generating revenue for the state.
However, the move has triggered strong opposition from stakeholders who insist that Edo House represents more than a government office. Built during the administration of the late Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia when Bendel State was under military rule, the building is widely regarded as a symbol of Edo’s identity and a monument to the state’s legacy.
Critics warn that selling the property would amount to sacrificing a priceless heritage for short-term financial gain. Former governors Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki had previously considered selling the building, but those efforts were abandoned following resistance from prominent Edo leaders and civil society groups.
Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration now faces mounting scrutiny, with stakeholders urging the government to preserve what they describe as one of Edo State’s most strategic assets outside its borders.
In May, Dr. Pedro Obaseki, former Managing Director of the Edo Development and Property Agency, appealed to Governor Okpebholo not to proceed with the sale, describing Edo House as “a historic public inheritance” belonging to generations of Edo people rather than any government in office.
Responding to critics, Afegbua alleged that many of those opposing the sale were beneficiaries of the old order, insisting that the government’s decision is driven by pragmatism and the need to invest in projects that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
