Former Edo Assembly Speaker Frank Okiye and former commissioner Felix Akhabue have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defections were announced during a political rally in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.

Key Details:

1. Defectors:

• Felix Akhabue: Governorship aspirant, former Esan West Local Government Chairman, and former Commissioner for Business, Wealth Creation, and Cooperative during Governor Obaseki’s first tenure.
• Frank Okiye: Former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, deputy chief of staff in the office of the deputy governor during the Adams Oshiomhole administration, and Speaker in 2019 before his impeachment in 2020.

1. Reasons for Defection:

• Alienation and Disillusionment: Okiye cited the alienation of his constituents and supporters from party activities and state government programs under Governor Obaseki.
• Governorship Candidate’s Declaration: Concerns over the PDP’s governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo’s commitment to continue Governor Obaseki’s principles.
• Personal Reasons: Additional unspecified personal reasons were also cited by Okiye.

1. Impact and Response:

• Mass Defection: Approximately 2,500 people from the Labour Party and PDP defected to the APC during the rally.
• Political Campaigns: Okiye announced plans for a house-to-house campaign to encourage more people to leave the PDP and join the APC.

1. Statements at the Rally:

• Okiye’s Criticism: He criticized the Obaseki-led PDP government for not addressing issues of alienation, disillusionment, high-handedness, and despotic tendencies.
• Pledge for APC Support: Okiye emphasized that the defectors will work to support the APC and its candidates, describing the PDP’s leadership as focused on profit rather than people.

This wave of defections highlights ongoing political realignments in Edo State, with significant implications for the upcoming governorship election on September 21, 2024.