The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State suffered another significant loss on Wednesday when the member representing Ikpoba-Okha constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Nicolas Asosere, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development brings to five the numbers of PDP lawmakers at the State Assembly that have joined the ruling party in Edo. APC now has 15 members in the 24-member legislature.
Osasere is said to be the political godson of PDP deputy governorship candidate in the September 21, 2024 election in Edo, Hon. Osarodion Ogie.
The lawmaker said he was joining the APC based on self-conviction that the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, is developing the state.
“The governor can’t be developing my immediate constituency, building flyover for my constituents and I am on the other side. So, I have to join him to develop my constituency. I am not joining the APC as a cog in the wheel of progress but I am joining in the interest of the state,” he said
Receiving the lawmaker, the acting state APC chairman, Jarret Tenebe, described Asosere’s defection as a big blow to the PDP.
He noted that with defection to the APC, the PDP has lost one of its influential and formidable voice in the party.
Tenebe said, “This is not just defection, but departure of political godson of two leading PDP leaders, Osarodion Ogie, PDP deputy governorship candidate in 2024 and Mathew Iduoriyekhemwen, PDP campaign director-general.
“He is a vocal voice who gave relevance to the PDP in their good days but has chosen to align with the future which is APC.”
The APC acting chairman noted that the defection of Nicolas signified the marching of the PDP into political oblivion in the state.
He commended the courage of the PDP lawmakers who had joined Governor Okpebholo and APC in building a new Edo State, assuring that the positive political environment people have for long been yearning for is here with Okpebholo.
According to him, the hand of fellowship that the governor extended to the opposition in the state was sincere as all hands must be all deck in the development of Edo State.
