The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the recent defection of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling it a political charade driven by personal interest rather than ideology.
Agbebaku, along with two lawmakers—Yekini Idaiye (Akoko-Edo I) and Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen (Esan Central)—formally joined the APC on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during a rally in Benin City.
Reacting at a press conference on Thursday, PDP State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, described the event as a “stage-managed fanfare” meant to impress national APC leadership rather than reflect genuine political realignment.
“The PDP finds it laughable, even comical, that the APC would roll out the drums to celebrate the defection of someone who, in practice, has long aligned himself with their agenda,” Aziegbemi said.
He alleged that Agbebaku had for months operated as a de facto APC loyalist, citing his partisan role in suspending elected PDP local government chairmen in collusion with Governor Monday Okpebholo and the state’s APC leadership.
“His refusal to lift the unconstitutional suspension of our chairmen—despite the expiration of the suspension—is clear evidence of his true allegiance,” he added.
Aziegbemi accused Agbebaku of prioritizing personal ambition over party loyalty and governance, calling his defection “a textbook case of political opportunism and self-preservation.”
Addressing claims that 17 local government chairmen also defected to the APC, Aziegbemi labeled the assertion “pure fiction.”
“We challenge the APC to publish the names of even one duly elected PDP chairman who has joined them. What they parade are political appointees and stooges loyal to Governor Okpebholo, not elected officials,” he asserted.
He warned that the APC was engaged in a deliberate campaign to manipulate public perception ahead of future elections, creating an illusion of growing dominance in Edo politics.
“The people of Edo are politically enlightened. They are not deceived by this political theatre,” he said.
Aziegbemi also reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to pursuing legal redress over what he described as a “brazenly manipulated” September 2024 governorship election.
“To our members and supporters, and indeed all Edolites, we urge you to remain steadfast. This moment may feel like a political holocaust, but joy is on the horizon. We are committed to justice and the restoration of our stolen mandate,” he declared.
Present at the press conference were six PDP lawmakers who have remained loyal to the party. They include the Deputy Speaker, Maria Edeko (Esan North-East II); Minority Leader, Charity Airobarueghian Ighodalo (Ovia North-East I); Andrew Uzamere (Ovia North-East II); Eugene Inegbeboh Ojie (Igueben); and Natasha Osawaru Irobosa (Egor).
