Edo: Assembly Speaker, LGA Chairmen, Defect To APC

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, completed his long expected defection to the All Progressive Congress, APC.

He was originally elected  on the platform of the now troubled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

A few weeks back, some of his former PDP  Lawmakers left the party to join forces with the APC.

Their defection, as it were, catapulted the APC from its hitherto minority status to the dominant party in the State Legislative body.

The change in the status of the parties also brought about

the reshuffling of the  principal officers  positions in the House with the APC taking over those meant for the majority party.

However, Speaker Agbebaku was spared pending when he will complete his own defection process.

Speaking on Tuesday  Agbebaku informed that his decision to abandon his former party PDP was to align himself with Governor Monday Okpebholo to fast-track the developmental processes of Edo State.

The Speaker who defected alongside 17 of the 18  Local Council Chairmen, emphasized the need for a synergy and understanding between the Executive and Legislative arms of Government in the efforts to move Edo State forward.

Similarly, about six other Lawmakers and  PDP officials, including Gabriel Oloruntoba, the Publicity Secretary, also defected with the Speaker.

While receiving the defectors, the APC National Chairman,

Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, assured them of  equal opportunities and treatment as the old members

The National Chairman, who was represented by the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashir, expressed the optimism that their coming on board will significantly impact on the party’s  bid to consolidate its position in Edo state.

On his part, Governor Okpebholo, lauded the decision of the defectors as being in the best interest of the State and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Source reports that with  the defection of the Speaker, along with the 17 out of the State’s 18 Local Council Chairmen, the APC have completed the capture of Edo State from its main rival, the PDP.