• Say Gov. Monday Okpebholo impactful governance is the pull
From our Bureau Chief, Benin
As the political momentum gather steam ahead of the 2027 general election in Nigeria, the gale of defection from the opposition; particularly the People Democratic Party (PDP) continues.
The PDP was further depleted on Tuesday, 14 April, 2026 by Chieftains who dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Central Senatorial zone, of Edo State.
They include: Senator Odia, Hon. Joe Edionwele, and one of the women leaders, Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen.
Like previous decampees before them; they said people oriented governance otherwise called ‘practical governance’ style of the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo which is producing verifiable and visible results remains the attraction.
Hence, they, particularly being from the same locale; ‘Esanland’ as the Governor, cannot stand hand akimbo with indifference while his administration is proving all doubting Thomases wrong, delivering the dividends of democracy to the people across the State.
“Today, we have come with all sense of humility to join our brother in the struggle of making sure that Edo State has the required development”, Senator Odia said.
“This is a clarion call for all Esan people and all our brothers in the north and the south of Edo State that the time has come for us to support what is good.
“Is it not so? Is the government not working? What are we supposed to do? We are going to join him and we have joined him”, he continued.
Also speaking, Joe Edionwele acknowledged that APC is now the official party in Esan land; courtesy of the credible performances of governor Okpebholo which he said everyone can see.
“Even when you are blind, you should see it.
“So that is why we are here to join the performing Governor. We are not here to compete with anybody, but we are here to compliment the performing Governor’s performance.
“The purpose of the Esan agenda is development, and our own Governor is developing the State. So we are happy with him. We are with him, come rain or sun.”
In the same vein, Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen said; “today is very historical. Very historical because we the Ishan that were in opposition have realised that if we send two sons to go and contest and one win while other lost, should we not join the one that won? Especially because of the work the Governor is doing.
“Any Esan man or woman today that does not join Senator Monday Okpebholo to carry Edo forward, na witch he or she be.
“And especially as he is doing his work. And today, like I told my leader, you can see the cap I’m wearing. It is Edo Women For Okpebholo.
“We have Esan women for Okpebholo, and we have Edo women for Asiwaju.
“We are going to personally apply to the government to register that movement because it is the movement that will drive us, and drive our ideas into Edo State.”
