The only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member of the House of Representatives, representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben, Hon Marcus Onobun, is set to dump the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) LEADERSHIP gathered.
Onobun served as speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
His move to defect to the ruling party in the state may not be unconnected with factionalisation of the party in state between loyalists of the Dan Orbih-led camp and the camp led by former governorship candidate, Barrister Asue Iguodalo.
But when contacted on his rumored defection plan Onobun told LEADERSHIP, “I am consulting and will let you know”.
However, credible sources close to the lawmaker said he had embarked on extensive consultation with stakeholders in APC and PDP to intimate them about his intended political shift.
Onobun’s absence at a PDP stakeholders meeting in the party’s secretariat on Monday in Benin, further fueled the rumor of his impending defection.
One of the sources said, “I can authoritatively tell you that Hon. Marcus Onobun is on his way to the APC. In the next few days he will announce his decision to pitch his tent with the ruling party. Don’t forget that he was in the APC before he defected to the PDP, so it is going to be like a home coming. He has even met with Governor Monday Okpebholo and other top leaders of the APC.”
Speaking at the PDP stakeholders meeting, a leader of the party Hon. Mathew Iduoriyekewen, had expressed doubt about the party’s ability to win any election urging members to fashion out how it can defeat Tinubu in 2027.
He said, “We cannot continue like this. Mr chairman, if we must move to solve PDP’s problem, it must be solved from the national level. If Asue’s votes didn’t count, I don’t see any election that will count. The PDP we have today does not have the capacity to stand in opposition to the APC”.
