Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, alongside other lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Other members of the Assembly who also defected include Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen and Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje.
While Agbebaku, representing Owan West constituency, was elected Speaker of a PDP dominated House, Yekini Idaiye emerged the Chief Whip of the House.
Yekini was, however, last month appointed Minor Whip when APC obtained the Majority status in the House, Sunday Fada represents Governor Monday Okpebholo constituency in the House
With the latest defectors, APC now has 18 members in the House while PDP is left with just six.
The PDP lawmakers yet to defect are Mariam Edeko, the Deputy Majority Leader, 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.
Speaking at the defection ceremony in Benin City at the Orhokpota Hall, the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku hinged his reasons for dumping PDP to the development strides of Governor Okpebholo, particularly his constituency.
Agbebaku said the governor has commenced the rehabilitation of Uhumora Secondary school, which is his community with over N500 million.
He also said the governor has awarded three roads in his constituency to be constructed by State Employment and Expenditure for Results, SEEFOR, Project.
The speaker added that they joined APC to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, noting that the re-election of President Tinubu is a South-South agenda.
Agbebaku 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, 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”, he said.
The Speaker assured the governor that the members of the Assembly would continue to work with him for the progress and development of the state.
He added, “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.”
Former deputy speaker of the House, Roland Asoro; Henry Okhuarobo, the former majority leader of the house, also defected to APC.
Others are Hon Nosayaba Okunbor, former member of the House; Mrs Idehen Inimudu, former Commissioner during Adam Oshiomhole administration; former PDP State secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba; Anslem Ojezua, former APC state chairman and a PDP governorship aspirant in the 2024 election.
Also speaking, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said the defectors are only returning home as they were all on sabbatical leave.
Oshiomhole said Blessing Agbebaku is only coming back home, as they both swept PDP out of Edo State but was deceived by the former governor Godwin Obaseki, to leave the party.
He said the speaker is only leading other members of the House back to the party they both built together.
Welcoming the defectors to the party, Governor Monday Okpebholo promised them that the State is 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,” he stated.
Okpebholo, 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,” he added
On his part, 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 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.
