PDP loses another House of Assembly member to APC in Edo

• Decampee cites unending internal party crisis as reason

By Kingsley Abavo in Benin

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has harvested one more member of the opposition political Party; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Hon. Kaycee Obamwonyi representing the Uhunmwode Constituency at the State Legislature on Wednesday, 9 April, 2025 formally joined the APC in Benin, the State Capital to swell the number of members to 14.

Hon. Obamwonyi said his decision was prompted by the unending internal crisis in the PDP, after critical members and the majority of his constituents asked him to join the APC for the actualisation of democratic dividends.

“…my being here today is the decision of the majority of Uhunmwode people as democracy is all about the majority.

“I am here as a result of the decision of the majority of the critical stakeholders and people of Uhunmwode.”

Also, the developmental stride of the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo was a motivating factor, he added.

“By the grace of God I am a member of the House Standing Committee on budget and appropriation. I know the series of projects embedded in this year’s budget.”

He asserts that he wants his constituency to benefit immensely from the developmental drive of the Okpebholo’s administration hence the new alignment.

Hon. Obamwonyi who described his joining the APC as a homecoming of the prodigal child; was received by the Party State Working Committee led by the Chairman, Emperor Jaret Tenebe and supported by his counterpart from Kogi State, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello.

In alignment with Obamwonyi’s assertion, the Chairman pointed out that the legislator joined the APC due to “irreconcilable crisis and internal quagmire that have plagued his former party; conditions which have made the realisation of their political goals impossible.”

He cited the provision of section 68 subsection 1(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“Being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected; provided that his membership of the latter political party is as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties

or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.”

Further, he noted that the Legislator’s decision reflects his commitment to contributing meaningfully to the betterment of Edo State.

“As we welcome him into our great party, let us remind ourselves of the need to promote unity, collaboration, and unwavering support for the ‘Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President; an agenda which we are determined to nurture here in Edo.”

Quoting Governor Okpebholo; Tenebe asserts that the doors of the APC are wide open to all well – meaning Edo sons and daughters who wish to key into the ‘transformative movement’ of its administration.

Earlier; about a month ago, four members of the State Legislature; three on the PDP platform, and the sole member of the Labour Party abandoned ship and joined the ruling APC.

They are Donald Okugbe, (Akoko Edo Constituency II); Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South Constituency II); Richard Edosa (Oredo West Constituency), and Sunday Ojezele (Esan South East).

Meanwhile, Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC–Esan West Constituency) has been made the majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly.

In the 24 members House, APC is now in the majority having 14 members and the PDP reduced to 10 members though still having the Speaker in Hon. Blessing Agbebaku (Owan – West Constituency).

Agbebaku has however appealed that the distinction between majority and minority should not distract the House’s collective responsibility to serve the State.

“What matters is that we all work together to ensure the success of Governor Monday Okpebholo,” a reliable source quoted him to have said.