Edo Assembly Speaker, other PDP members defect to APC
-
- Speaker, 21 PDP members join APC in Delta
- Oborevwori storms Aso Rock, meets Tinubu amid defection drama
- Okowa denies returning N500bn to Delta
- Bayelsa PDP caretaker committee moves to welcome defectors
- Okowa denies returning N500bn to Delta
- Oborevwori storms Aso Rock, meets Tinubu amid defection drama
- Speaker, 21 PDP members join APC in Delta
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, on Tuesday, led two other members of the house and some local government councilors of the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
The Speaker said the move was aimed at aligning with Governor Monday Okpebholo to fast-track development across the State.
Agbebaku, in his remarks, praised the governor’s developmental focus, citing the construction of Uhonmora Secondary School and three major roads in Owan West LGA as signs of inclusive governance.
“We are here to support the governor and the president to move Edo forward,” he declared.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, assured them of equal opportunities within the APC, emphasizing the significance of their defection as a milestone for the party’s consolidation in Edo.
Among those who decamped with the Speaker are Sunny Ifada, Esan Central State Constituency; Yekini Idiaye, Akoko-Edo State Constituency I, former Deputy Speaker Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader Nosa Nosayaba, and former PDP State Secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba, among others.
Welcoming the new entrants into APC fold, Governor Monday Okpebholo said the state was on a path to accelerated growth with the full backing of President Bola 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,” the governor stated.
He further declared that Edo would play a leading role in ensuring President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“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,” Okpebholo affirmed.
Senator Bashiru, standing in for Ganduje, commended Governor Okpebholo for his leadership, particularly for ensuring regular salary payments and infrastructural renewal such as the ongoing road projects in Ekpoma.
He noted that the wave of defections signifies a shift in political tides and reflects growing confidence in the APC-led administration.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, hailed the Speaker’s return to APC as a homecoming, describing Agbebaku as one of the original builders of the party in the state.
“This defection is a testament to the governor’s impressive performance. Out of 24 Assembly members, APC now holds 18 seats, providing the needed legislative support to move the state forward,” Oshiomhole said.
He expressed optimism that the governor’s achievements would earn him a second term in 2028, just as Edo State would deliver for President Tinubu in 2027.
Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, attributed the wave of defections to the visible development strides under Governor Okpebholo, saying “the governor’s performance speaks volumes, and his results are drawing others back to the party.”
APC State Woman Leader, Betty Okoebor, described the PDP as a “sinking ship,” stating that the mass defection proves that APC is now the dominant force in the state.
Lucky Ohimia, youth coordinator of Asiwaju 2027, thanked the governor for fostering peace and development, pledging to mobilize support for the APC in the coming elections.
Speaker, 21 PDP members defect to APC in Delta
Following the current realignment of political stakeholders in Delta State, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, and 21 other members formerly of the PDP, on Tuesday officially defected to the APC.
The development has effectively transformed the Delta State House of Assembly into a one-party legislature, as the remaining seven members were originally elected on the ticket of the APC.
“With this action, the Delta State House of Assembly is now composed entirely of members from the All Progressives Congress. We thank our constituents for endorsing this progressive course of action,” he said.
The Speaker stated during the resumption of plenary after the Easter break that the decision was the result of extensive consultations with their constituents and political leaders throughout the state.
He emphasized that the move aligned with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
While expressing appreciation to members for their contributions so far, Guwor urged the House to ensure the completion of all pending bills as the second legislative session ends soon.
“The mass defection of members of the People’s Democratic Party, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress was made in the overall interest of Deltans and the state,” the Speaker said.
He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations held on April 23, which culminated in the official reception on April 28, 2025, at the Government House and the Cenotaph, respectively.
He informed the House that he received 21 letters (including his own) notifying of the change of party affiliation from the PDP to the APC.
A motion to adopt the letters of party change was moved by the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Ferguson Onwo, who represents Isoko South II.
Oborevwori storms Aso Rock, meets Tinubu amid defection drama
President Bola Tinubu also held a closed-door meeting with Delta State governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Oborevwori arrived at the State House at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
The meeting was the Governor’s first official engagement with the President since his recent high-profile defection to the ruling APC.
The Delta governor, who until recently was a key figure in the opposition PDP, made headlines on April 23 when he led a dramatic political shift in the state.
Alongside his predecessor, former PDP vice presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori formally joined the APC after a strategic meeting held in Asaba.
Also defecting with the governor were members of his cabinet, local government chairmen, and influential grassroots figures—making him the first sitting Delta governor to exit the PDP since the return to democracy in 1999.
Tuesday’s meeting was seen as a signal of the APC’s growing consolidation in the South-South region, where it has been making steady gains.
Sources within the APC suggested that additional defections were on the horizon, with Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Abba Yusuf of Kano, and the embattled Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, reportedly being courted by the ruling party.
Meanwhile, the wave of defections is deepening internal crises within the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP, as all three opposition parties struggle to maintain cohesion amid growing pressure from the APC’s expanding political influence.
Okowa denies returning N500bn to Delta
In the same vein, the immediate-past Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has denied returning N500 billion to the state government as part of payment for the ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
There had been rumours making the rounds that the former governor had discreetly returned over ₦500 billion to the Delta State Government in what appears to be a calculated move to avoid prosecution and reassert political influence.
According to rumours, the refund was made under the radar as part of a confidential arrangement aimed at staving off legal consequences and possibly negotiating a soft landing with anti-graft authorities.
Responding to the rumour, Okowa, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Olise Ifeajirika, said it was not true.
He said, “It’s not true that my boss, Okowa, returned such money. EFCC is at liberty to do its job.
“He was invited and shown documents, and he (Okowa) responded. The EFCC has been coming to Delta State and inviting people for questioning.
“So, we believe that the investigation is still ongoing. It is when they conclude and establish a case that they can ask for a refund or go to court.
“It is not true about returning money to the Delta State Government or EFCC. I believe that investigation is still on and yet to be concluded.”
Bayelsa PDP caretaker committee moves to welcome defectors
Meanwhile, the PDP caretaker committee in Bayelsa State is set to open a new secretariat for the party.
The party, which also disclosed plans to receive defectors from other political parties, stated that a reconciliation and disciplinary committee has been set up.
This was contained in a communiqué issued after its first State Working Caretaker Committee meeting of the party under the acting Chairman, George Turnah.
The communiqué, signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Alasuote Wright Derri, stated that the leadership of Turnah is determined to revitalize and redirect the party.
According to him, the commissioning of the new party and welcoming of defectors from other political parties is fixed for May 26.
Derri stated that two committees have been set up to review the activities of the party in the eight local government areas and also to review the salaries paid to party officials serving in the state, local government, and ward levels.
The communiqué read in part: The Committee approved the establishment of a reconciliation committee and the reconstitution of the previously dissolved Disciplinary Committee and Elders Advisory Council for the party in the State.
“In this regard, the Acting State Chairman is authorized to appoint Party members with proven integrity, honesty, and commitment to these Committees and the Elders Advisory Council.
“The Committee has also constituted an ad hoc committee, headed by the State Acting Deputy Chairman, to review the activities of the eight Local Government Areas and 105 Ward Executives of the Party.
“This committee is tasked with providing a report at the next meeting of the State Working Committee scheduled for May 8th, 2025.
“Also set up is another ad hoc committee, Chaired by the State Acting Deputy Chairman, to assess and review the salaries and allowances currently paid to Party officials at all levels, from State to Ward, and to make recommendations for upward review to enhance the welfare and living conditions of Party officials, staff, and political appointees.
“The Committee is expected to present a harmonised salary structure for Bayelsa State PDP for consideration at the next adjourned date of May 8th, 2025.
“The Committee on review of the activities of LGA and Ward Executives has the Acting State Organizing Secretary, the Acting Woman Leader, and the three Senatorial District Acting Vice Chairmen as members, with the Acting State Legal Adviser as Secretary, while the Committee on review of salary structure has the Acting State Treasurer, the Acting Financial Secretary, the Acting Auditor, and the Administrative Officer of the Party as members, with the Acting State Legal Adviser serving as Secretary.’’