Edo: 17 Lawmakers Who Impeached LG Chairmen Defect from PDP to APC

Seventeen Edo State legislative leaders who orchestrated the impeachment of local government chairmen have officially dumped the PDP for the APC.

Seventeen of the eighteen legislative leaders who assumed the role of acting chairmen following the impeachment of democratically elected local government chairmen in Edo State on Wednesday have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It has been reported that these legislative leaders were elected on September 2, 2023, to represent the eighteen local government councils.

The local government legislators took control of the councils after the elected chairmen and their deputies were suspended for two months by the Edo State House of Assembly due to alleged insubordination towards Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to reports, only one council chairman, Tom Obaseki of Oredo LGA, has not been successfully impeached among the eighteen councils in the state.

On Monday, the acting chairmen formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling APC.

During their reception at the Government House, Governor Okpebholo praised the acting local government chairmen for their bravery in switching allegiance from the PDP to the APC.

“I extend a warm welcome to all our Chairmen who have decided to join us, and I commend you for your courage in leaving your party to align with the APC. It requires a strong politician to make such a significant decision,” he stated.

He further reflected on the challenges faced by the administration upon taking office, noting that Edo was in disarray, marked by insecurity, violence, and mismanagement of resources under the previous administration led by Obaseki. He emphasized that his administration has worked to transform the situation.

Governor Okpebholo expressed confidence that leaders from opposition parties would also join the APC, inspired by the infrastructural advancements made during his tenure.

He assured that his administration is committed to improving the lives of the citizens, claiming that significant progress has been made in just four months in office.