The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, and two other lawmakers have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), giving the APC a majority in the state legislature.
The two other defectors are Sunny Ifada, representing Esan Central Constituency, and Yekini Idaiye of Akoko Edo 1 Constituency.
With the latest defections, the APC now holds 18 seats in the 24-member assembly, while the PDP controls six.
Defections: broader political shift
The defections were part of a broader political shift in the state, with councillors from 17 local government areas, former deputy speaker Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader Nosa Nosayaba, and former PDP State Secretary Gabriel Oloruntoba also joining the APC.
The party further claimed that 192 councillors, 18 local government chairmen, and two parliamentarians have also switched allegiance.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, assured them of equal opportunities within the ruling party.
He described the wave of defections as a significant step towards the APC’s consolidation ahead of the 2027 general election.
Bashiru praised the defectors
Senator Bashiru praised the defectors for their decision, expressing optimism about the party’s prospects in Edo and nationally.
“Re-electing the APC and President Bola Tinubu in 2027 will guarantee the continuation of good governance, which is the only way to save the country,” he said.
Ganduje, represented at the event, said the APC’s move from minority to majority in the Edo legislature was a “turning point” and proof of growing support for the party in the state.
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