‘We Left a Sinking Ship’, Edo Speaker, 17 LG Chairmen, Loyalists Abandon PDP for APC

By Emmanuel Kwada

The mass exodus, celebrated at a high-profile ceremony at the Government House’s New Festival Hall, signals a significant consolidation of power for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration and a devastating blow to the PDP’s influence in the state.

For Agbebaku, a prominent figure from Owan West and a key PDP stalwart during the 2024 governorship election, the defection marks a personal and political homecoming.

“I’m returning to where I belong,” he declared, praising Governor Okpebholo’s transformative agenda. He cited the construction of Uhonmora Secondary School and three major roads in Owan West as tangible evidence of inclusive governance that inspired his move.

We are here to support the governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move Edo forward

“We are here to support the governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move Edo forward,” Agbebaku added, his voice resonating with conviction.

The 17 local government chairmen, representing nearly all of Edo’s 18 councils, echoed Agbebaku’s sentiments.

Kelvin Iyere, chairman of Esan Central and ALGON leader, spoke on their behalf, emphasizing the PDP’s internal crises and Okpebholo’s developmental strides as catalysts for their defection.

“We left a sinking ship to join a party delivering for our people,” Iyere said, referencing projects like road constructions in Ekpoma and enhanced security measures. The absence of Oredo’s acting chairman, Harrison Izekor, was notable, leaving his intentions unclear amid the sweeping defections.

Among the defectors were high-profile figures such as former Deputy Speaker Hon. Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader Hon. Nosa Nosayaba, and former PDP State Secretary Gabriel Oloruntoba, alongside councillors from across the state.

Their move has bolstered the APC’s dominance in the Edo State House of Assembly, now controlling 18 of 24 seats, a stark contrast to the PDP’s dwindling six.

Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a president who believes in our people

Governor Okpebholo, beaming with optimism, welcomed the new entrants, framing their defection as a vote of confidence in his administration’s vision.

“Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a president who believes in our people,” he said, highlighting investments in roads, flyovers, education, youth employment, and agriculture.

Okpebholo vowed that Edo would lead the South-South in supporting President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, declaring, “This is just the beginning of our mission to transform Edo.”

Former Governor and Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole described Agbebaku’s return as a reunion with the APC’s founding architects. “Blessing was with us from the start.

The individuals showcased are illegal appointees, not our duly elected chairmen, who remain loyal to PDP

His return, alongside these leaders, is a testament to the governor’s remarkable performance in just months,” Oshiomhole said, predicting Okpebholo’s re-election in 2028. APC State Chairman Jarrett Tenebe attributed the defections to visible progress, noting, “Results speak louder than promises.”

The ceremony, attended by APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru on behalf of National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, underscored the party’s growing momentum. Bashiru assured defectors of equal opportunities, calling the event a “milestone for APC’s consolidation in Edo.”

Betty Okoebor, APC State Woman Leader, gleefully labeled the PDP a “sinking ship,” asserting that the defections cement APC’s dominance.

However, the PDP fiercely contested the narrative, alleging coercion and bribery.

Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, claimed Okpebholo used state resources to lure defectors, accusing him of parading “impostors” as elected chairmen.

“The individuals showcased are illegal appointees, not our duly elected chairmen, who remain loyal to PDP,” Nehikhare insisted, labeling the event a “staged content creation” to mislead the public. He further criticized Okpebholo’s governance, pointing to neglect in health and education sectors.