Seventeen local government chairmen in Edo State have defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, leaving one local government chairman.
Reports revealed that Harrison Izekor of Oredo Local Government, who is still affiliated with the PDP was not found at the defection ceremony which took place at the New Festival Hall in the Government House.
This mass defection of the local government chairmen is coming after the PDP lawmakers in the state House of Assembly also defected to the APC, granting the APC a majority in the legislature.
On Wednesday, the Governor of Edo state, Governor Monday Okpebholo warmly welcomed the new members to the APC, commending their courage and decision to leave the PDP.
Governor Okpebholo highlighted the significant transformation his administration has brought to the state barely four months in office. He emphasized his efforts to redefine the narrative in the state and improve the lives of its citizens.
He said “Let me draw your minds back to where we are coming from as an administration. We practically met Edo that was not working when we came into office. What we met in Edo were insecurity, killings, looting of state treasury using consultants to deceive Edo people and other backward policies implemented by the Obaseki-led administration, but we came and changed the narrative,”
The governor also expressed his appreciation to former Governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole ,Senator representing Edo North, and Jarret Tenebe, the APC State Chairman for their unwavering support.
He further appreciated the councilors for voicing the concerns of their communities, which ultimately led to the impeachment of the previous chairmen and appointment of the new ones.
“I also thank the councillors who spoke for their various communities through the impeachment exercises in the councils and subsequent appointment of these new chairmen across the 17 local government areas of the State,” he stated.
Governor Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, reaffirmed their commitment to the development of Edo State, stating that they had come to rescue the state from its previous state. “We are committed to the development of Edo State. We have come to rescue the state,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo expressed his hope that more opposition party leaders would also defect and join the APC due to his administration’s infrastructure development strides. He added, “I am optimistic that leaders of the opposition parties in the state would join the APC fold following my infrastructural development strides in the state.”
Lawrence Okah, the party’s secretary, received the new members and urged them to join forces with existing APC members to support the governor’s vision to develop Edo State. “The desire of the governor is to unite the State and ensure the people enjoy the dividends of democracy through his developmental strides,” he said.
Kelvin Iyere, the ALGON chairman and Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area, speaking on behalf of the new chairmen, thanked the governor and APC members for accepting them into the party. He stated, “We decided to decamp from PDP because of the crisis in our party and our love for the development that Governor Okpebholo has brought to Edo State.”
Governor Okpebholo also expressed his support for President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that the APC was poised to secure a re-election victory in 2027.
Following this, Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, Chris Nehikhare, alleged that the Governor of Edo state used the resources of the state to lure the chairmen into leaving PDP
He said, “Senator Monday Okpebholo has summoned all councilors from the 18 local councils of Edo State, in a desperate attempt to woo them with N2m each to decamp to the All Progressives Congress.”
Nehikhare described the use of state funds to buy political loyalty as “reckless” and “unacceptable.” “We condemn in the strongest terms the reckless use of state resources to purchase support and loyalty, while critical sectors of the state remain in dire need of government intervention, from security to public safety and order, revenue generation, education, and healthcare, among others,” Nehikhare said.
He urged Governor Okpebholo to redirect resources toward addressing the state’s pressing issues, such as security, education, healthcare, and public safety, rather than using them for political gains.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
