Following the latest wave of political defections in Edo State, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, and the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, exchanged words on Wednesday over the reasons behind the defections and what they mean for their respective parties.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, the Edo APC Chair dismissed speculations that recent defectors—among them Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori—were fleeing possible prosecution or driven by personal gain.
Tenebe stated that the defections were motivated by the ruling party’s “visible progress and influence,” rather than fear of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The Governor of Delta State crossed to the APC. It’s not because he is looking for money or has committed any offence. If these people had committed any sin, they would have been with the EFCC. They crossed because of what they were seeing,” he said.
Tenebe maintained that the quality of leadership being demonstrated by Governor Monday Okpebholo in Edo State is attracting political stakeholders.
“It takes a sinner not to see the work that Governor Okpebholo is doing. The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, (Blessing Agbebaku), who defected yesterday, said it himself—nobody is influencing anyone. He told the governor he had served under Governor Obaseki but has now drawn a line and decided to join the APC.”
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‘Laughable Progress’
Also speaking on the programme, ex-PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan was scathing on the APC’s performance. He described claims of progress under the ruling party as “laughable” and labelled developments in Edo under the APC as “dramcomical.”
“It is unfortunate that anyone would look at Nigeria today and say there is progressive governance; it’s laughable. What is happening in Edo is dramcomical,” he said.
Ologbondiyan added that the APC has created a politically divisive environment, particularly under the current administration.
“The Tinubu administration has shown a disturbing level of political fluidity and division. We are witnessing a deeply divisive political system, where parties now brazenly claim exclusive ownership of political space—raising the question, what happens if the opposition begins,” he said.
The ex-spokesperson highlighted the growing national discontent, saying many Nigerians are simply enduring the current state of affairs while looking ahead to the next election.
“If you test the mood of the nation, Nigerians are just waiting for 2027. Some have even described the President as an OTP—One-Term President. In 2027, we must ensure elections are free of glitches, which doesn’t determine who the president will be.”
More Expected Defections
According to Tenebe, the APC is expecting more defections in the coming weeks.
“After yesterday’s defections, many more people have called to join. We’re planning another round of receptions in the coming weeks. I’ll be touring the state to receive new members ahead of a major event that will ultimately crumble the PDP in Edo.”
On Tuesday, Speaker Agbebaku, 17 local government area chairpersons, councillors, and other political figures officially defected from the PDP to the APC.
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They were received by the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, Governor Okpebholo, and other senior party officials at a ceremony held in Benin City.
Okpebholo, in his remarks, applauded the defectors, stating that their decision aligns with the growing wave of national development under President Bola Tinubu.
PDP Can’t Move Under Acting Chair
The ex-PDP National Publicity Secretary Ologbondiyan expressed deep concern over the internal state of his party, stating that the PDP cannot move forward under the current acting chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
“I will not shy away from the fact that there is turbulence in the PDP. As long as Ambassador Umar Damagum remains the acting chairman, the party will go nowhere,” he declared.
Despite the current challenges, Ologbondiyan said he remained hopeful about the party’s future.
“We cannot foreclose the possibility of a restructuring and realignment within the party. I believe that, in the long run, the PDP can revive itself and become presentable for the 2027 elections.”
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When asked whether the party’s problems stemmed from unresolved issues dating back to 2011 or 2015, he dismissed such suggestions as counterproductive.
“Going back to 2011 or 2013 won’t solve our problems. That is revisionism. What we need to do is assess where we are today, chart a way forward, and convince Nigerians that we are building a party that will serve the interests of the ordinary citizen.”
Governorship Poll Allegations
In addition to commenting on party politics, Tenebe hailed recent electoral reforms led by the APC, saying they have strengthened Nigeria’s democratic process. He described the last governorship election in Edo State as the “most transparent” he had ever witnessed.
However, he accused outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki of allegedly sponsoring civil society organisations (CSOs) to undermine the credibility of the poll.
“There were some CSOs that Obaseki paid to claim the election was not transparent. Some denied the claims, but there’s a part of the civil society community that took money to push that narrative,” he alleged.
