Edo PDP Crisis: Party’s Top Mobilisers, Others Defect To APC

Published

4 years ago

June 25, 2022

No fewer than 100 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, have defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The defectors including four of the party’s top mobilisers were led by the party’s former youth leader in the council area, Mr Godwin Igbinosun.

They cited the performance of the APC lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Mr Dennis Idahosa, and the crisis in the state chapter of the PDP as the reason behind their defection.

The defectors were received by the APC chairman of the local government, Oscar Aghedo, in a rally that took place on Saturday at Okokuo ward, Ovia North East.

Igbinosun who spoke on behalf of the decampees, vowed to ensure the election of all candidates of the APC in the 2023 general elections.

The defectors who commended Idahosa for attracting Impactful projects to the constituency, pledged to continually support him in order to attract more developmental projects to the area.

He said, “We are not actually surprised with Idahosa’s performance because overtime, you have proven that yours is to ensure the general well being of the people.

“You demonstrated your move for the people when as a Commissioner, you shared your salary with the youths and women and have also supported the cause of the area without holding any political office.

“Now as a member of the House of Representatives, we have seen all that you have done across the 23 wards of the federal constituency.

“To ensure sustainability of these laudable projects and attraction of more, we have taken the decision to join you and your party for the general benefit of our people.”

Igbinosun said other defected PDP mobilisers, Peter Imasuen, Monday Olotu and Sunday Agbede, alongside their supporters, have all agreed that “Ovia will never go back to the dark days.”

In his response, Idahosa expressed optimism that with the enthusiasm displayed by the defectors, APC would emerge victorious in the 2023 polls.

The lawmaker who reiterated his commitment to promoting the interest of Ovia people, pointed out that he would continue to attract federal government presence to the constituency.

“I am indeed happy with your commitment to ensure our party soars above others come 2023.

“I want to appeal to you not to see yourself as newcomers, but part of the process to ensure a better Ovia,” he stated.

Similarly, Chairman of the APC in the council, Mr Godwin Aghedo assured the decampees that they would be accorded rights and privileges enjoyed by other members of the party.

Dino Melaye Reacts To Malami’s Arraignment For Money Laundering

Published

4 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Ex-Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has reacted to the arraignment of a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, before an Abuja Federal High Court.

Melaye wished Malami well as he began his trial for corruption.

Posting on X, the former lawmaker recalled how he was prosecuted by Malami over what he described as frivolous cases while he was the AGF.

He wrote: “Reminded me of how I was appearing in different courts when Malami as AGF was prosecuting me over frivolous cases including taking over one of the police cases against me. Wish him.well.”

Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and another individual are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering.

They were arraigned on allegations of unlawful acquisition and concealment of funds.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Politics

What PDP Said About Wike’s Media Parley

Published

4 days ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, of being a constant agent of provocation in the political space, alleging that he creates trouble to mask selfish intentions.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated this in a statement issued on Monday in response to Wike’s media parley with selected journalists in Port Harcourt, also held on Monday.

According to the PDP, remarks made by the minister on several occasions are proof that he falls short of being a locus classicus of anti-democratic adventurism.

The party said Wike’s conduct was not new, stressing that he has consistently acted as an agent provocateur in the political arena, stirring controversy to advance personal interests.

The PDP further stated that since Wike assumed office as Governor of Rivers State in 2015, he has remained a recurrent source of trouble within the party’s leadership.

“From the Sheriff era, where he was a forerunner in the Sheriff-for-National Chairman movement and later turned to fight and remove Sheriff; later he championed the Uche Secondus-for-National Chairman movement (in fact, he granted a very combustible interview that polarized the party just before the convention) and then was the same person fighting to remove Secondus.

“The same Wike led the movement to produce Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman against the advice of many party leaders, and so soon thereafter, it was Wike again who led the Ayu-must-go struggle.

“By his end-of-year media chat, Minister Nyesom Wike has reiterated his support for, and in fact declared that he is the ‘number one supporter’ of the presumptive candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 Presidential election, while remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, confirming the basis of his expulsion from the PDP, for anti-party activities,” the statement said.

Politics

JUST IN: INEC Excludes PDP From Ekiti Governorship Election

Published

5 days ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, Dr Wole Oluyede, and his deputy were conspicuously absent as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, released the provisional list of party candidates ahead of the election.

INEC on Monday posted the list of candidates from 12 political parties vying for the state’s top job at its office on New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The list shows that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with Monisade Afuye as his running mate.

Other candidates include Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party, with Omoyemi Olaleye as deputy; Akande Oluwasegun of the African Action Congress, paired with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party, with Itunu Ibitoye as running mate.

Similarly, the African Democratic Congress is presenting Oluwadare Bejide and Paul Olowoyeye, while the Action Peoples Party has Bidemi Awogbemi and Akinyemi Adewumi on its ticket.

The PDP’s absence may not be unconnected with the leadership crisis currently rocking the party at the national level.