In a significant blow to PDP and labour party in Edo State, over 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esan North East Local Government Area.
The decampees, led by Prince Saturday Iyoha, a prominent leader in the PDP, cited Senator Monday Okpebholo’s contributions to the fight against insecurity in the Esan land as a key factor in their decision to join the APC.
“I have decided to support APC’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, because of his efforts in addressing the issue of insecurity in Edo State,” Iyoha stated. “The whole of Esan voted for him in the last general election, and we are going to support and vote for him again to emerge as the next governor.”
Receiving the defectors, Senator Okpebholo expressed his gratitude and welcomed them into the APC fold. “Uromi is our land, and no one can take it from us,” he said. “The new members will be given equal treatment, and we are excited to have them on board as we work towards a better Edo State.”
Among the APC notable figures who witnessed the event were former Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, former Edo Speaker, Hon. Frank Okiye, and Hon. Aiddeh Isibor, Lucky Ehiluemhinoria Arebun as well as other party leaders from the Party.
This mass defection is seen as a significant setback for the PDP and Labour Party in the state, as they lose a substantial number of supporters and influential figures to the ruling APC ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election.