Edo Speaker Agbebaku, Sweeps Assembly for APC, as Others Dump PDP!

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By Reporter

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has taken a comfortable lead in the Assembly with 18 members, including the Speaker Blessing Agbebaku.

Agbebaku, alongside other lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday May 6, 2025, defected to the APC at a rally in Uruokpota ground in Benin City.

With these defectors, the APC now has 18 members in the House and PDP six. Others that defected include Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen and Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje.

Yekini became Minority Whip when APC secured the majority seats in the House, Sunday Fada represents Governor Monday Okpebholo constituency in the State Assembly.

While leading other defectors, Agbebaku gave his reasons for dumping PDP to the “development strides of the governor particularly his constituency.”

The Acting State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, attributed the surge of defections to the visible progress under Okpebholo’s leadership within a short period.

“The Governor’s performance speaks for itself, and it is drawing others back to the party,” he said.

Agbebaku on the other hand, revealed that the governor has commenced the rehabilitation of Uhumora Secondary school in his community with over N500 million.

He added that the governor has awarded three roads in his constituency to be constructed by State Employment and Expenditure for Results, SEEFOR, Project.

Agbebaku crowned his reason that himself and his colleagues decided to dump PDP to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, noting that the reelection of President Tinubu is a South South agenda.

Speaking, he said: “Today is a great day, Mr Governor. We have been working together since you came to the office and we will continue to work together. Since the assumption of office you have shown me love, you have shown me that I should rely on you.

“Today, I want to let the people of Owan West know that the Governor, because I am the number three man in the state, he has granted me so many offers.

“As I am speaking here today the Uhunmora secondary school is under rehabilitation. I can tell you that more than N500 million is being sucked into the school located in my community, and that is a sign of respect.

“And, again, I want to let the people of Owan West know that the governor in his magnanimity has also approved the construction of three roads in Owan West to be constructed by SEEFOR.”

While reassuring the governor, the speaker said: “Your Excellency, I want to assure you that we members of the House have been with you and we will continue to be with you.

“We stand by you to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Asiwaju in 2027 because this will be the South South agenda.

“I am aware that the PDP Governors also know how they will support their own. Then, who is me?. So we are here to join the governor to support Asiwaju in 2027.”

Others who defected were Mr. Nosayaba Okunbor, former member of the House, Mrs. Idehen Inimudu, former Commissioner during Adams Oshiomhole administration, former PDP State secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba, Anslem Ojezua, former APC state chairman and who was also a PDP governorship aspirant in the 2024 election.

Speaking at the event, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said the defectors were only returning home as they went on sabbatical leave. Oshiomhole stressed that, Agbebaku is only returning home.

Governor Monday Okpebholo welcomed the defectors and reminded them that the State was on a path to accelerated growth with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“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,” Okpebholo stated.

“We will lead the South-South in supporting Mr President. We have the structure and the momentum, and we will launch this mission from Edo State,” the governor added.

The National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Abdullai Umar Ganduje commended Governor Okpebholo for his leadership, particularly for ensuring regular salary payments and infrastructural renewal such as the ongoing road projects in Ekpoma.

Ganduje who was represented by Senator Bashiru Ajibola, the National Secretary of APC noted that the wave defections signifies a shift in political tides and reflects growing confidence in the APC-led administration.

The PDP lawmakers left in the House are Mariam Edeko, representing Esan North- East II, Charity Airobarueghian Ighodalo, the former Majority Leader of the House and now Minority Leader, Natasha Osawaru Irobosa, the former deputy majority leader, representing Egor constituency.

Others are Andrew Uzamere, representing Ovia North-East II, Inegbeboh, Ojie Eugene, Igueben and Uyi Frank Omosigho, Oredo East constituency.