The ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo State House of Assembly further depleted on Wednesday as the member representing Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, Nicholas Asonsere, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Asonsere, who led a handful of his supporters to the APC secretariat, was formally received by the Edo State APC Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, who acknowledged the legislator’s popularity in his constituency and described his defection as a significant blow to the PDP in the state.
Tenebe, while noting that many PDP members had joined the APC in the state, said that Asonsere’s defection marked another watershed moment in the political history of Edo State.
“This is not just any defection; it is the departure of a political son of two of the PDP’s leading figures in Edo South, the Deputy Governorship candidate, Barrister Osarodion Ogie, and the campaign Director-General, Hon Mathew Iduoriyekemwen. What clearer sign do we need that the PDP is collapsing under the weight of its own failures.
“The defection of Hon Nicholas Asonsere epitomizes the March towards sending the PDP into political oblivion in Edo State. He was a key voice that once gave relevance to the PDP in their heydays.”
Speaking after being presented with the broom, the symbol of the APC, the legislator said that he decided to join the APC out of self-conviction, as he was encouraged by the developmental strides of the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration in his constituency.
Asonsere added that he personally initiated the move and called the Governor to inform him of his (Asonsere’s) intention to join the APC in order to be part of those contributing to his development programmes and policies.
“I am here self-conditioned, that is what I told the Governor last night. I am the one that called the governor, that I want to join APC.
“Somebody cannot be developing my immediate constituency, constructing a flyover bridge there and I will be on the left-hand side while he is on the right-hand side. That means I am not ready to develop the constituency and the people I am representing.”
ALSO READ: Tinubu committed to improving welfare of IDPs, Kalu tells UN
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo, while receiving Asonsere later at the Government House, predicted the collapse of the opposition PDP in the state.
The Governor thanked all the members who joined the APC from other parties and assured them that the party is a place of opportunities, where they would not be discriminated against but given the room to contribute to the development of the state.
“Thank you for the decision to join the APC and all of you that moved to our party. The winning party will not regret it. The party will stand with you as it is a place of unlimited opportunities.
“When I came into the APC, I never had the mind to contest for any position, but look at where I am today. I was pressured by people who love good things to contest as a senator and governor, and I won both elections, and today, look at where the State is.
“Very soon, the opposition PDP will collapse in Edo State because of what the APC represents. My idea for Edo people is development. My focus is on development, and I will not be distracted from making life better for Edo people. I will utilize Edo resources, which are obtained from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Federation Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC).
“The resources meant for Edo people will be used to develop the State and make life comfortable for the people,” he declared.
With the defection of Asonsere, the APC has further consolidated its majority hold on the 24-member Assembly, now commanding 15 members from its initial eight, thereby reducing the PDP to nine members from its initial 15. The Labour Party (LP) had earlier lost its only member, Richard Edosa (Oredo West), to the APC on 12 March 2025.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then