Four members of the Edo State House of Assembly have defected to the All Progressives Congress. The lawmakers, Donald Okugbe (Akoko Edo Constituency II), Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South Constituency II), Richard Edosa (Oredo West Constituency), and Sunday Ojezele (Esan South East) were received by the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Working Committee, led by the acting state Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, at the party Secretariat in Benin yesterday.
  
With this development, the APC now has 13 members in the House, while the Peoples Democratic Party has 11. The Labour Party lost its only representative to the APC. 
 
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Edosa described the move as a defining moment for them. He stated that divisions within their former parties, from the national level down to the state and local councils, prompted their decision to leave.
  
He said: “A house divided against itself cannot stand. We believe in the vision of Governor Monday Okpebholo and have decided to join him in achieving his goals for Edo State. We promise to work with the governor to build the party and the state.”  
 
Tenebe also described the lawmakers’ defection as a significant moment for the ruling APC in Edo. He assured them that the party would grant them the same rights and privileges as other members.
 
He said: “These honourable members, who bring with them a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives, have recognised that the APC offers the most promising path forward for Edo State and Nigeria. They have seen the clarity of the party’s policies, the integrity of Okpebholo’s leadership, and his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Edo people.
   
“We understand that changing political allegiance is not a decision taken lightly. It requires courage, conviction, and a belief in a better future. We commend these honourable members for their bravery and willingness to stand with us as we join hands with the governor to build a stronger economy, improve education, promote social harmony, and secure the lives of Edo residents.”

MEANWHILE, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, yesterday, said that the Okpebholo-led government has resorted to blame games over the worsening insecurity concerns in the state.
  
It also accused the state government of desperately attempting to use the crisis as a means of targeting and attacking the opposition, by threatening them with arrest and physical attacks.
  
The opposition party equally raised the alarm that the government and its agents also plan to make up stories to implicate PDP members and stalwarts so that they can illegally target their houses and other properties for demolition.  This is contained in a statement signed by the Chairman Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, which was made available to newsmen in Benin.