A group of lawmakers from the Edo State House of Assembly recently made a significant move by defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The four members, namely Hon. Donald Okugbe, Hon. Bright Iyamu, Hon. Richard Edosa, and Hon. Sunday Ojezele, officially joined the APC at the party’s Secretariat in Benin. This shift in allegiance has tipped the balance in the House, with the APC now holding 13 seats compared to the Peoples Democratic Party’s 11. The Labour Party also lost its sole representative to the APC.
In a statement representing the defectors, Edosa emphasized that internal divisions within their former parties, spanning from the national level to local governance, influenced their decision to switch sides. He expressed faith in Governor Monday Okpebholo’s vision and pledged to collaborate with him to advance Edo State’s interests.
Addressing the lawmakers’ transition, Tenebe, the acting state chairman, highlighted the importance of their defection for the APC in Edo. He affirmed that the party would extend equal rights and privileges to the new members, acknowledging their experience and perspectives as valuable assets. Tenebe commended the lawmakers for their courage and commitment to a shared goal of progress and development under Governor Okpebholo’s leadership.
As a symbolic gesture, Tenebe presented each of the newly-inducted lawmakers with brooms, representing the APC’s emblem, signifying unity and collective purpose within the party.