Seventeen out of the 18 local government chairmen in Edo State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection took place on Wednesday at the New Festival Hall in the Government House, with only the acting Chairman of Oredo Local Government, Harrison Izekor, absent from the ceremony.
This move follows the recent defection of PDP lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly to the APC, shifting the legislative majority in favor of the ruling party.
Welcoming the defectors, Governor Mondday Okpebholo praised their decision, emphasizing the transformation his administration has brought to the state in just four months.
“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,” he said.
The governor expressed gratitude to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North, and APC State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, for their support. He also acknowledged the role of councillors in the impeachment of former chairmen and the 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.
“We are committed to the development of Edo State. We have come to rescue the state,” the governor declared.
He further expressed optimism that more opposition party leaders would join the APC due to his administration’s infrastructural strides.
“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,” he added.
The party’s secretary, Lawrence Okah, urged the new members to work together with existing APC members to advance the governor’s development agenda.
“The desire of the governor is to unite the State and ensure the people enjoy the dividends of democracy through his developmental strides,” Okah said.
Responding on behalf of the defectors, ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area, Kelvin Iyere, explained their reasons for leaving the PDP.
“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,” he stated.
Governor Okpebholo also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the APC is well-positioned to secure re-election in 2027.
However, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, Chris Nehikhare, accused Okpebholo of using state resources to entice councillors into defecting to the APC.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo has summoned all councillors 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 alleged.
He criticized the alleged use of state funds for political gain, calling it “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,” he stated.
Nehikhare urged Okpebholo to prioritize governance over political maneuvering.
“Rather than wasting resources on buying political support and loyalty, we urge him to channel these resources into meaningful projects that will positively impact the people of the State during his short period at Dennis Osadebe Avenue,” he added.
