Another major calamity befell the haemorrhaging Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday as several of its prominent leaders in Edo Central senatorial district dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress in Edo State.
Other opposition party members, including the Labour Party, LP, also defected to the APC and were received by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Notable defectors from the PDP included Senator Clifford Ordia who represented Edo Central senatorial district from 2015 to 2023, Joe Edionwele, Chief Clifford aka Cliff Sandra, Mrs. Ihenyen, as well as others from the Labor Party (LP)
Welcoming the new members into the APC at a twin event, namely the inauguration of ward and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, and the defection rally held at the Eguare Public field in Irrua, Esan Central local government area, Governor Okpebholo described President Tinubu as a man who believes in the future of Nigeria, highlighting the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms.
Hailing the president’s policies, Okpebholo said the removal of fuel subsidy was a decision many past leaders avoided, which he noted had unlocked resources now being channeled into development projects across the country.
“That is the money we are using to work all over Nigeria today,” he said, adding that the president’s actions reflected a strong belief in Nigeria’s future and long-term prosperity.
He disclosed that he recently hosted a critic of the policy and took him round ongoing projects in Edo State. He said the critic was convinced after seeing how the funds were being utilised.
He stated that more independent observers, including Reuben Abati of Arise Television, would be invited to assess projects in the state.
Reaffirming Edo State’s political support for the president, the governor said the state was ready to deliver 2.7 million votes in his favour.
The inauguration of Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the defection exercise were conducted by the Edo State APC Deputy Chairman and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Sylvester Aigboboh, federal lawmakers, alongside other party leaders.
At another event, Governor Okpebholo delivered his promise to rebuild several shops belonging to the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) razed by fire at Ekpoma, Esan West local government area, on January 12, 2026.
He not only handed over the reconstructed shops to the ecstatic traders but handed out N8 million cheques to each victim to rebuild their businesses.
The governor had during an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the fire disaster, urged the victims to be calm, and promised that reconstruction would start within the week.
He had said, “Between now and Friday, they will come and start building this place for you people. After the building, we will take inventory so that you will return to your shops without going to borrow from the bank”.
Personally giving out the cheques at the ceremony, the governor emphasised that the rapid reconstruction and disbursement were central to his administration’s “SHINE” agenda, noting that the intervention was aimed at restoring not just the market stalls, but the hope and dignity of the Edo families affected by the tragedy.
“This is what governance means to me, standing with our people and taking real action when it matters most,” Governor Okpebholo stated.
Recalling the incident, the governor said he was woken up at about 3 a.m. with the news that Ekpoma was on fire, and he immediately departed Abuja by 4 a.m., arriving the town later that day to assess the situation.
He described the destruction as the handiwork of “evil men” who targeted shops, billboards, and private properties in a bid to disrupt peace in the community. he said upon arrival, he visited the palace of the Enogie to get firsthand information and expressed shock at the level of devastation.
“But today”, Okpebholo stated, “it is a changed story”. He asserted that the reconstruction of the shops marked a significant step toward restoring economic activities and normalcy in the area.
The governor also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had followed the Ekpoma crisis through social media platforms, underscoring the presidency’s interest in developments across the country.
The rebuilt Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) complex now features modernised stalls, and traders expressed immense relief as they prepared to return to business in the fully restored facility.