The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, on Tuesday, led 17 local government chairmen, councilors, and notable Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The speaker said the move was aimed at aligning with Governor Monday Okpebholo to fast-track development across the state.
In a related development, the minority leader of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Hon Yahaya Zakari, who represents Fagam Constituency has also dumped the PDP for the ruling APC.
The lawmaker who declared his defection from PDP during a visit to the governor’s office in Dutse, said he moved alongside wards executives of his former party in Fagam Constituency.
Receiving the Edo defectors on behalf of the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the party’s national secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, assured of equal opportunities, stressing that their defection is a milestone for the APC in Edo.
Among those who decamped with the Edo Speaker are Hon. Sunny Ifada, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, former Deputy Speaker Hon. Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader Hon. Nosa Nosayaba, and former PDP State Secretary Gabriel Oloruntoba, among others.
Governor Monday Okpebholo welcomed the new entrants into the APC fold, promising that the state is on a path to accelerated growth with the full backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He declared that Edo would play a leading role in ensuring President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, hailed the Speaker’s return to APC as a homecoming, describing Agbebaku as one of the original builders of the party in the state.
In Jigawa, Zakari told the State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, that he decamped to APC after extensive consultations with his constituents.
He cited the transparent and exemplary leadership of Namadi as the motivation for joining the APC.
Namadi, in turn, expressed delight over their decision to join the APC, assuring them of full membership and fair treatment like every other member.
He also directed APC leaders in the Jigawa Central Zone to integrate the new members into all party activities and provide them with an enabling environment to contribute effectively.
