All Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) House of Representatives members have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Their defection was made public by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary yesterday.
Recall that former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, had dumped the PDP for the APC.
Oborevwori and Okowa announced their defection during a stakeholders meeting in Asaba, Delta State.
Following their defections, the House of Representatives member from Ideato Federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, had disclosed that two more state governors and 40 lawmakers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will soon defect.
However, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had said the PDP would be repositioned despite the defections, stressing that those who want to defect are free to leave.
Senate constitues committee to oversee Rivers Administrator
The Senate, yesterday constituted an 18-member committee tasked with overseeing the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).
This, it said, was in a bid to strengthen transparency and accountability in the state’s governance.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was named as chairman of the committee.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during the resumption of plenary.
Akpabio highlighted the importance of the committee’s mandate, stating that its role was critical in ensuring effective legislative oversight in Rivers State.
Akpabio also hinted that the composition of the committee might be subject to review following further consultations.
Other members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso, Osita Ngwu, Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire, Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole, Ireti Kingibe, Onyekachi, Idiat Adebule, Ide Dafinone, and Mohammed, alongside the Clerk of the Senate.
The Senate President charged the committee to commence its oversight duties without delay, stressing the urgency of their assignment.
He also reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to upholding democratic processes in Rivers State.
Edo Speaker, Agbebaku, two House members, others dump PDP for APC
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, alongside other lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday, defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The other members of the house who also defected include Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen and Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje.
While Blessing Agbebaku, representing Owan West constituency was elected a PDP dominated House, Yekini Idaiye Chief Whip of the House.
Yekini was, however, last month appointed Minor Whip when APC obtained the Majority status in the House, Sunday Fada represents Governor Monday Okpebholo constituency in the House.
With the defectors, APC now has 18 members in the House while PDP are six.
The PDP lawmakers who are yet to defect are Mariam Edeko, the Deputy Majority Leader, representing Esan North- East II, Charity Airobarueghian Ighodalo, the former Majority Leader of the House and now Minority Leader, Natasha Osawaru Irobosa, the former deputy majority leader, representing Egor constituency.
Others are Andrew Uzamere, representing Ovia North-East II, Inegbeboh, Ojie Eugene, Igueben and Uyi Frank Omosigho, Oredo East constituency.
Speaking at the defection ceremony in Benin City at the Orhokpota Hall, the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku hinged his reasons for dumping PDP to the development strides of the governor particularly his constituency.
Agbebaku said the governor has commenced the rehabilitation of Uhumora Secondary school which is his community with over N500 million.
He also said the governor has awarded three roads in his constituency to be constructed by State Employment and Expenditure for Results, SEEFOR, Project.
The speaker also added that they joined APC to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, noting that the reelection of President Tinubu is a South South agenda.
“Today is a great day, Mr Governor. We have been working together since you came to the office and we will continue to work together. Since the assumption of office you have shown me love, you have shown me that I should rely on you.
“Today, I want to let the people of Owan West know that the Governor, because I am the number three man in the state, he has granted me so many offers.
“As I am speaking here today the Uhunmora secondary school is under rehabilitation. I can tell you that more than N500 million is being sucked into the school located in my community, and that is a sign of respect.
“And, again, I want to let the people of Owan West know that the governor in his magnanimity has also approved the construction of three roads in Owan West to be constructed by SEEFOR”, he said.
He assured the governor that the members of the Assembly would continue to work with him for the progress and development of the state.
“Your Excellency, I want to assure you that we members of the House have been with you and we will continue to be with you.
“We stand by you to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Asiwaju in 2027 because this will be the South South agenda.
“I am aware that the PDP Governors also know how they will support their own. Then, who is me?. So we are here to join the governor to support Asiwaju in 2027”, he added.
Also defected are the former deputy speaker of the house, Roland Asoro, Henry Okhuarobo, the former majority leader of the house.
Among others are Hon Nosayaba Okunbor, former member of the House, Mrs Idehen Inimudu, former Commissioner during Adam Oshiomhole administration, former PDP State secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba, Anslem Ojezua, former APC state chairman and a PDP governorship aspirant in the 2024 election.
Also speaking, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said the defectors are only returning home as they were all on sabbatical leave.
Oshiomhole said Blessing Agbebaku is only coming back home as they both swept PDP out of Edo State but was, however, deceived by the former governor Godwin Obaseki, to leave the party.
He said the speaker is only leading other members of the House back to the party they both built together.
Welcoming the defectors to the party, Governor Monday Okpebholo promised them that the State is on a path to accelerated growth with the full backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a president who believes in our people. From roads to flyovers, education, youth employment, and agriculture, we are investing massively to ensure food security and economic stability,” he stated.
Okpebholo, further declared that Edo would play a leading role in ensuring President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“We will lead the South-South in supporting Mr President. We have the structure and the momentum, and we will launch this mission from Edo State,” he added
On his part, the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Abdullai Umar Ganduje commended Governor Okpebholo for his leadership, particularly for ensuring regular salary payments and infrastructural renewal such as the ongoing road projects in Ekpoma.
Ganduje represented by Senator Bashiru Ajibola, the National Secretary of APC noted that the wave defections signifies a shift in political tides and reflects growing confidence in the APC-led administration.
Buba Galadima alleges APC trying to destroy NNPP, Kano govt
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima, has stated that the All Progressives Congress, APC, was out to destroy the NNPP. Galadima also said that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is merely a representative of Atiku Abubakar within the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Galadima warned Atiku not to contest for the presidency again in 2027, saying such a move would further complicate Nigeria’s political scene. He accused the APC-led government of attempting to destabilize the NNPP and the Kano State government, saying all efforts to lure their members would fail.
According to Galadima, the federal government is using security agencies to suppress the NNPP-led administration in Kano. He rejected the claim that the NNPP is working with the APC.
In an interview in Kano, Galadima expressed concern about Atiku’s reported interest in contesting again in 2027, arguing that it would not benefit Nigerians.
He added that El-Rufai is not fit to lead the opposition, stating that the public would not accept him due to past betrayals. He accused El-Rufai of betraying Atiku Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, and others, saying no one would trust him as a political leader.
Galadima emphasized that El-Rufai is not a party founder but is only being used temporarily to hold the SDP for someone else to take over later.
He further accused the APC of deliberately trying to collapse the NNPP government in Kano by offering large sums of money and positions to politicians to switch loyalties. However, he said the plan would not work, as the people of Kano are aware and committed to the party that has brought them development.
On claims that Kwankwaso is supporting Tinubu’s government, Galadima dismissed them as false, reiterating that it is actually the APC that is trying to break the NNPP.
He described Kwankwaso as the most popular politician among the masses in Nigeria, saying no one else enjoys the same level of grassroots support.
Galadima said President Bola Tinubu is his friend, but warned him that trying to destroy the opposition will not bring him political success.