• Tenebe, Okpebholo mocks Party
• As Hon. Asons ports to APC
(L), APC State Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe handing over the broom, the party symbol to Hon. Nicholas Asonsere (r).
Kingsley Abavo (Managing Editor, Benin)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, 16 April, 2025 suffers one more loss of membership in the Edo State House of Assembly; as the member representing Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, Hon. Nicholas Asonsere ports to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is barely a week the House member representing the Uhunmwode constituency, Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi
abandoned the troubled political party for the APC; strengthening its majority status in the State Legislature.
Hon. Asonsere who alongside his wife and supporters joined the APC, were received at the State secretariat of the Party in Benin, by the State Working Committee (SWC) led by the Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe.
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Asonsere popularly known as ‘Asons’ by supporters and admirers was a very loud voice of the PDP in the State House of Assembly.
He asserts that he termed his cross carpeting to the ruling Party as ‘Self Conviction’ as he was convinced by the developmental stride of Governor Monday Okpebholo in his immediate constituency of Ikpoba-Okha.
Hence he cannot continue to be in the opposition; the grassroots politician who is a strong political influencer in his locality, said.
“When I was a ch boy, I reasoned like a boy, but now that I am a man, I should reason like a man. Therefore, it is pertinent that the labourer deserves his wages.
“I am here on self conviction! Somebody cannot be developing my immediate constituency; building flyover and I will be on the left side while he is on the right hand side.
“It means; I am not ready to develop the people I am representing. So I need to join my hands, to encourage, to speak out to our people so that we can give him a rousing support to enable him finish what he has started in my constituency.
“… that is why I tagged my defection as ‘Self Conviction’ that is because of his developmental stride within the short time the Governor has been in office.
“And as for my most respected colleagues in the House I also want them not to begin to see me as a clog in the wheel of progress.
“So let us begin to push, encourage, and channel the way forward for the State; for the interest of the State, I decided to join the APC!”
Formally receiving the defectors, State Chairman of the APC, Tenebe noted; “Today marks another watershed moment in the political history of Edo State.
“A fresh tsunami has hit the PDP, shaking its foundation once again.”
He points out that the “PDP has lost one of its most influential voices.
“This is not just any defection, it is the departure of a political son of two of the PDP’s leading figures in Edo South: the Deputy Governorship candidate, Osarodion Ogie, and the Campaign Director General, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.
“What clearer sign do we need that the PDP is collapsing under the weight of its own failures?”
Seemingly mocking the opposition; Tenebe asserts that the “defection of Asonsere epitomises the march towards sending the PDP into political oblivion in Edo State.
“He was a key voice that once gave relevance to the PDP in their heydays. Today he has chosen to align with the future.
“The people of Edo especially the APC family, salute the courage and boldness of the PDP lawmakers who have invoked the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to join hands with our progressive government in facilitating the rising of a new Edo.”
Gov. Monday Okpebholo (C) poses with Asonsere on his immediate ( r)and other PDP defectors to the APC at Government House.
In the same vein, while receiving the defector at the Government House, the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo predicted the PDP going into oblivion soon in the State.
“Very soon, the opposition PDP will collapse in Edo State because of what the APC represents. My idea for Edo people is development. My focus is on development, and I will not be distracted from making life better for Edo people.
“I will utilize Edo resources, which are obtained from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Federation Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC).
“The resources meant for Edo people will be used to develop the State and make life comfortable for the people“
Before now; the PDP had 15 seats; APC eight seats, while Labour Party (LP) had one seat.
But with the gale of defection of the opposition politicians the APC now controls the majority with 15 members; with just one remaining to have the constitutional requirement of the two third of 24 members House, of 16.
At the presentation of Asonsere to the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, State secretary of the APC, Lawrence Orkah disclosed; “We are expecting two more before the end of this month, and we are in a comfortable majority in Edo House of Assembly.”
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