An Earthquake Which Redefines Edo Central Political Landscape

By Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele PhD

Edo Central’s political terrain shifted decisively this Tuesday as former Senator Clifford Ordia and ex-House of Representatives member Joseph Edionwele formally exited the very depleted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a development that immediately reconfigured alliances across Esanland and beyond.

The announcement, made at a densely packed political gathering at Eguare Primary School in Irrua, the heartbeat of Esan politics, unfolded against a charged atmosphere of chants, solidarity songs, and repeated declarations that “Edo is shining”. This was the slogan that echoed through the venue as APC stalwarts and supporters waved party colours and danced in procession from Usugbenu Junction to the event ground.

What began as a routine political reception for decampees quickly evolved into a symbolic realignment of influence in Edo Central, with heavyweight political figures openly declaring support for Governor Monday Okpebholo and his administration’s SHINE development agenda.

“Edo is shining. That is why you are seeing Edo is shining,” voices rang out repeatedly from the crowd, setting the tone for the day’s proceedings.

Governor Okpebholo, who formally received the defectors, described the moment as a reflection of growing consensus around governance performance. However, it was the weight of the political figures involved — and the language they used — that defined the significance of the event.

Senator Clifford Ordia, a two-term senator representing Edo Central from 2015 to 2023, addressed the gathering in firm, conciliatory tones, positioning the move as a collective decision rooted in development priorities rather than partisan sentiment.

“Performing Governor of Edo State, all other protocols duly observed,” he began. “Today we have come with all sense of responsibility to join our brother to ensure that Edo State gets the requisite development. This is a clarion call for Esan people and all our brothers in the North and South of Edo State that the time has come for us to support what is good.”

He continued, reinforcing the message of political alignment: “Is the governor not working? What are we supposed to do? We are to join him and we have joined him.” These remarks were met with applause and audible chants of approval, as supporters responded with rhythmic affirmations: “It is so? It is so?”

Interestingly, Senator Ordia’s statement carried weight beyond symbolism. A legislator with deep institutional memory and established influence across Esan communities, his defection signals a recalibration within Edo Central’s elite political structure.

Elder Joseph Edionwele, the PDP former member representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, followed with a more direct declaration of political alignment, framing the APC as the dominant platform in the region.

“We are here to celebrate that henceforth, APC is the official party in Esan land,” he declared. “You can see the performance. I said even when you are blind, you should see it. You should feel it”, he said.

Edionwele also stressed that the move was not about rivalry or displacement but alignment with governance outcomes. “We are here to join the performing Governor. We are not here to compete with anybody but to complement performance. So don’t be afraid of your seat. We are not here to take over your seat.”

His comments even hinted at a broader political migration underway. “From today, chairmen should open their doors because there will be big movement. APC will be streaming in from today henceforth.” The political undertone was clear: a reordering of loyalty structures in Esanland, driven by both grassroots sentiment and elite recalibration.

The event also featured repeated communal affirmations, including prayers and blessings invoked by speakers who declared: “God will bless all of you in Jesus name. Amen.” Such expressions underscored the blending of political mobilisation with cultural and spiritual language often characteristic of Edo Central gatherings.

Beyond the rhetoric, the implications are significant. The arrival of Ordia and Edionwele into the APC represents the convergence of two critical political assets — legislative experience and grassroots mobilisation networks — into the ruling party’s structure in Edo Central.

By all permutations this is one shift that would reshape electoral dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in Esan where political loyalty has traditionally been fluid but influential figures often set the tone for broader community alignment.

For Governor Okpebholo, the development is a validation of his administration’s policy direction under the SHINE Agenda, which prioritises security, health, infrastructure, education and agriculture. The defections, in that context, are a political endorsement of governance performance rather than mere party switching.

Yet, beneath the celebration lies a more complex political reality. The PDP, once dominant in Edo Central, now faces the challenge of maintaining relevance in the absence of key figures who have historically anchored its structure in the region. Rebuilding that influence will require more than rhetoric; it will demand organisational restructuring and renewed grassroots engagement.

For the APC, however, Tuesday’s developments represent immediate strategic advantage. The party not only gains experienced political actors but also strengthens its presence in a region long considered decisive in Edo State electoral outcomes.

As the event drew to a close, chants of “Edo is shining” continued to ripple through the crowd, blending political messaging with communal affirmation. Whether interpreted as celebration or consolidation, the message from Irrua was unmistakable: Edo Central has entered a new phase of political alignment, and the ripple effects are only beginning to unfold.

In the evolving story of Edo politics, this moment may well be remembered as a turning point — one where established loyalties gave way to new calculations, and where the language of development overtook the language of opposition.

–Dr Ebojele is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.