In a significant political development, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, alongside 17 acting local government chairmen and several councillors, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection ceremony was held at the New Festival Hall in Benin City and was attended by APC National Secretary Ajibola Bashiru, Governor Monday Okpebholo, and other party leaders.
Governor Okpebholo welcomed the defectors, praising their decision as a courageous step towards the state’s development. He highlighted the achievements of his administration, including reforms in security, infrastructure, and governance, as factors influencing the defections.
Responding on behalf of the defectors, ALGON Chairman and Esan Central LGA Chairman, Kelvin Iyere, cited internal crises within the PDP and the developmental strides of the APC-led government as reasons for their move.
However, the PDP has contested the legitimacy of the defections, alleging that the individuals presented as defectors were not duly elected officials but appointees. The party also accused Governor Okpebholo of using state resources to induce the defections, claims which the APC has denied.
This wave of defections marks a significant shift in Edo State’s political landscape, potentially altering the balance of power ahead of future elections.
