Momoh Umar Momoh, Benin
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku, has revealed that he dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to retain his speakership seat.
Agbebaku elected on the platform of PDP to represent Owan West constituency in the House on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 defected to APC at a rally organised by the State leadership of the party to receive him and other defectors in Benin City.
The Speaker, who stated this while officially informing members of the House of his defection to APC during the plenary in Benin City said he defected to retain the benefits of the speakership seat for the development of his constituency.
“My distinguished members, I want to formally let this House know that yesterday, the Speaker of this House, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, defected to the APC.
“My decision was not about party allegiance but rather about the growth, development and progress of my area.
“As a speaker, if I throw away this position because of the party, the position that would enhance development in my area, it means that I am not ready to serve my people. My constituents were in support of my decision”, he said.
“I spoke about some of the projects the governor took to my area yesterday, and the people of Owan West are very happy.
“On that note, I took that decision, and I think to a large extent, my people are happy about it”, he said.
Agbebaku posited that his defection was not driven by personal gains but by a commitment to the welfare of those who elected him.
He opined that politics is all about interest, noting that his defection was about the interest of the people that gave him the mandate to represent them at the State House of Assembly.
The Speaker, while reaffirming his commitment to unity within the House, stated that there was the need to also have opposition in the House.
He pledged that the House would continue to work together in the interest of Edo people.
.”We are all working with the governor to take the state to the next level so that the people will enjoy the dividends of democracy. So, the issue of party affiliations should not arise. To me, there is no party in this House”, he added.
