Delta, Edo lawmakers defect to APC; Enugu reps dump LP for PDP

Six members of the House of Representatives from Delta State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while two lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu have crossed over to the PDP. The defections were formally announced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Tuesday’s plenary session. Obetta […]

Six members of the House of Representatives from Delta State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while two lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu have crossed over to the PDP.

The defections were formally announced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Obetta Chidi, who represents Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South federal constituency in Enugu State, and Dennis Agbo of Igbo-Eze North/Udenu, both dumped the LP for the PDP, citing party divisions.

From Delta State, Victor Nwokolo (Ika North East/Ika South), Julius Pondi (Burutu), Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri North/Warri South/Warri West), Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani), Ukodhiko Jonathan (Isoko North/Isoko South), and Ezechi Nnamdi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani) all defected from the PDP to the APC.

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Some of the defectors, including Mutu—who has served in the House since 1999—blamed their former party’s internal crises for their decision. They argued that unresolved leadership disputes were hampering their legislative performance and pledged their new affiliations reflected the will of their constituents.

The latest wave of defections echoes recent political realignments in Delta State, including that of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who also switched allegiance from the PDP to the APC.

In a related development, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, has defected from the PDP to the APC, alongside two other lawmakers and several PDP members.

The lawmakers—Hon. Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen and Hon. Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje—joined Agbebaku in switching parties. Their defection, announced during a reception in Benin City, brings the number of APC members in the 24-member Assembly to 18, while the PDP holds six seats.

Daily Trust reports that 17 local government chairmen who had earlier announced their exit from the PDP were also formally received into the APC.

Receiving the defectors, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by National Secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru, described the development as a significant milestone for the party in Edo State. He said the wave of defections reflected growing confidence in the APC-led administration.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who also welcomed the defectors, said Edo was on a path to accelerated development with the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He expressed confidence that the state would play a leading role in securing Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole said the defectors were “returning home,” claiming they were misled by former Governor Godwin Obaseki to leave the APC. He predicted that the governor’s performance would secure him a second term in 2028.

Speaker Agbebaku attributed their defection to the developmental strides of the current administration, particularly in his constituency. He pledged support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, calling it a “South-South agenda.”

Other defectors include former Deputy Speaker Roland Asoro; ex-Majority Leader Henry Okhuarobo; former lawmakers Andrew Uzamere, Ojie Eugene, and Uyi Frank Omosigho; former PDP State Secretary Gabriel Oloruntoba; and ex-APC Chairman and PDP governorship aspirant, Barrister Anslem Ojezua.