The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Blessing Agbebaku, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading 17 local government chairmen, numerous councillors, and several notable PDP members in the move.
Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the development in an official statement on Tuesday.
Agbebaku said the decision aimed to align with Okpebholo’s vision to accelerate development across the state.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, welcomed them and assured of equal opportunities within the APC.
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He described the defection as a significant milestone in the party’s efforts to consolidate power in Edo State.
Among those who decamped with the Speaker were Sunny Ifada, Yekini Idiaye, former Deputy Speaker Hon. Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader Nosa Nosayaba, and former PDP State Secretary Gabriel Oloruntoba.
Governor Okpebholo received the defectors into the APC, asserting that Edo was on the path to rapid growth under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a president who believes in our people. From roads to flyovers, education, youth employment, and agriculture, we are investing massively to ensure food security and economic stability,” the governor stated.
He further pledged that Edo would lead the South-South in delivering President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“We have the structure and the momentum, and we will launch this mission from Edo State,” he affirmed.
Bashiru, representing Ganduje, commended Okpebholo’s leadership, particularly for consistent salary payments and ongoing infrastructure upgrades such as road projects in Ekpoma.
He noted that the wave of defections reflected growing confidence in the APC-led administration.
Former Governor of Edo State and current Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, hailed Agbebaku’s return to the APC as a homecoming.
He described the Speaker as one of the original architects of the party in the state.
“This defection is a testament to the governor’s remarkable performance. Of the 24 Assembly members, the APC now holds 18 seats, providing the legislative backing needed to move the state forward,” Oshiomhole said.
He expressed confidence that Governor Okpebholo’s achievements would secure him a second term in 2028, while Edo State would also deliver for Tinubu in 2027.
Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, attributed the influx of defectors to the visible development strides recorded under Okpebholo’s administration.
In his remarks, Speaker Agbebaku lauded the governor’s inclusive leadership, citing the construction of Uhonmora Secondary School and three major roads in Owan West LGA as clear indicators of progress.
“We are here to support the governor and the president to move Edo forward,” he declared.
The mass defection came just hours after 24 members of the Delta State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, also dumped the PDP for the APC.
Guwor, who announced the defection during Tuesday’s plenary, said he had received 22 letters—among them, his own—indicating a switch from the PDP to the APC.
He cited the instability in the PDP’s national leadership and the fractionalisation of the party’s South-South zonal executive as the key reasons behind the mass exit.
