Guests at a popular Eterno Hotel owned by the director general of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate Dr. Asuen Ighodalo, Hon Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, were seen checking out of the hotel in their numbers as the Edo State government yesterday sealed the multi-million naira hotel located on the highbrow Government Reservation Area.
Iduoriyekemwen ‘s hotel is adjacent to a three-star hotel said to belong to an APC stalwart and a businessman, which was sealed by the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency (ESDBCA), as evidenced by an official inscription bearing the code 29.425 ESDBCA placed at the hotel premises.
The agency ensures compliance with state regulations on planning, development, and building control.
Iduoriyekemwen, a former governorship aspirant, ran for the 2023 Edo South Senatorial seat but lost to the Labour Party candidate, Senator Neda Imansuen.
Speaking on the issue, Mr. Iduoriyekemwen, when contacted, expressed dismay and said the government’s action was purely political as he had not violated any law that would warrant sealing up his hotel.
He said, “I was at home when my manager called to say that they were sealing up my hotel. I asked to speak to the government agents, but they refused to take my calls, so I had to dash down there myself. When I asked them what my offence was, they simply answered that they were carrying out instructions from the government. You can see some of the guests are leaving.
“I don’t know why a state would want to destroy an indigene’s investment. Last time they revoked the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the land. I saw it in the papers. This one they are doing now, I don’t know.”
When asked what his next move would be, the PDP stalwart said he would seek legal redress to challenge the government’s actions.
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