Lawmaker Dumps APC Over Rift With Governor

Esosa Iyawe, the House of Representatives member for Oredo Federal Constituency in Edo State, has quit the All Progressives Congress (APC), pointing to an irreparable rift with Governor Monday Okpebholo as his reason for leaving.

He announced his resignation in a letter dated May 6, 2026 addressed to APC Ward 1 in Oredo Local Government Area.

In the letter made available to newsmen on Thursday in Benin, Iyawe cited irreconcilable differences with Okpebholo as the reason for his resignation from APC.

Iyawe was elected to the House of Representatives on the platform of the Labour Party in 2023, but defected to the APC on December 5, 2024.

The lawmaker announced his withdrawal from the race for re-election to the House of Representatives on the platform of the APC.

He, however, disclosed plans to align with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

He said: “I hereby withdraw my expression of interest to contest for the position of House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections and resign from the APC with immediate effect.

“It is imperative to state that this decision is a result of the irreconcilable differences between me and my governor, His Excellency, Monday Okpebholo.”

According to the lawmaker, the decision followed careful reflection and consideration, adding that the move was driven by personal and political reasons.

Iyawe expressed appreciation to the APC for the opportunity to associate with the party but maintained that joining another political platform aligned with his “current convictions and aspirations”.

He also requested that his resignation be reflected in the records of both the party and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).