The two other members are Sunny Ifada (Esan Central Constituency) and Yekini Idaiye (Akoko Edo 1 Constituency), thereby making the APC have 18 members while the PDP has six members.

Others who defected include councillors from 17 local government councils, former deputy speaker, Roland Asoro; former House Majority Leader, Nosa Nosayaba, and former PDP State Secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba, among others.

The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, who received the defectors on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, assured them of equal opportunities within the APC, emphasising the significance of their defection as a milestone for the party’s consolidation in Edo.

Ganduje, however, applauded Governor Okpebholo for infrastructural renewal, such as the ongoing road projects in Ekpoma
He also noted that the wave of defections signifies a shift in political tides and reflects growing confidence in the APC-led administration.

While speaking, Edo State APC Woman Leader, Betty Okoebor, described the PDP as a “sinking ship,” stating that the mass defection proves that the APC is now the dominant force in the state.