By Rejoice Peterside, Abuja
Senator Neda Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has disclosed that the impressive performance of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State is the primary reason he left the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Senate on Wednesday officially announced his defection during plenary after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter conveying Imasuen’s resignation from the Labour Party. The letter was received without objection from his colleagues.
Welcoming the new entrant into the fold of the ruling party, Akpabio assured Senator Imasuen that his political efforts and loyalty would be recognized and rewarded under the APC banner, saying: “You shall not labour in vain.”
Senator Imasuen, who was elected into the 10th Senate on the platform of the Labour Party, made the switch at a critical time as political alignments continue to evolve ahead of the 2024 Edo State governorship election.
Speaking with journalists in an exclusive interview in his office shortly after plenary, Senator Imasuen explained that Governor Okpebholo’s outstanding leadership and visible achievements in Edo State inspired his defection.
“That’s a major reason, to be honest with you,” Imasuen said when asked what motivated his move. “I’m sure you also encountered him while he was a Senator here. He is my friend — we were elected and sworn in the same day. We worked and collaborated together while he was in the Senate.”
He praised Governor Okpebholo’s short but impactful tenure as Governor, describing it as a key influence in his decision to cross over to the APC.
“Having gone back to Edo State as the Executive Governor and seeing the kind of work he has been able to do in such a short period of time, it became an incentive for me to go and work and collaborate with him,” he said. “The goal is to ensure the betterment of Edo people, which is the overriding interest of us all.”
Senator Imasuen added that joining the APC would enhance his ability to serve his constituents effectively, citing improved coordination, access, and alignment in policy implementation.
“My agenda has always been to represent my people better. And I can confidently say that it’s now a lot easier to achieve that because decision-making is smoother, and I now belong to a platform that is currently shaping the direction of governance both at the federal and state levels,” he stated.
The senator’s defection is seen by many political observers as a strategic move ahead of the forthcoming elections in Edo, where the APC is seeking to consolidate its growing influence under the stewardship of Governor Okpebholo.
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