In a significant development reshaping the political dynamics of the South-South region, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday received a high-powered delegation from the Delta State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, at the Government House in Benin City.
The visit followed a dramatic political event in Edo State earlier in the day, where members of the Edo House of Assembly elected under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), including Speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rt. Hon. Guwor and his entourage expressed solidarity with their Edo counterparts, describing the defection as a bold and strategic realignment.
The Delta delegation included Majority Leader Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, Chief Whip Perkins Umukoro, Deputy Chief Whip Fred Martins, Majority Whip Bernard Odior, and lawmakers Hon. Charles Emetulu (Ndokwa West), Hon. Emmanuel Sinebe (Patani), Hon. Bridget Anyafulu (Oshimili South), and Hon. Blessing Achoja (Ethiope West).
Speaking during the visit, Guwor stated that camaraderie between the two state assemblies has been longstanding and that the visit was a show of unity and support.
He revealed that 22 PDP lawmakers in the Delta State Assembly, including himself, had formally defected to the APC earlier the same day during a resumed plenary session.
“It was a collective and well-considered decision taken in the best interest of the people of Delta State,” Guwor said. “We fully align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are committed to driving that vision at the state level.”
Governor Okpebholo, in his response, expressed appreciation for the show of support, describing the visit as a symbolic reinforcement of regional unity and a “great honour” to Edo State.
He also praised Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his developmental efforts and called for deeper collaboration between both states under the APC.
Earlier, the visiting delegation had been welcomed by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, who led them to the Governor.
Agbebaku commended the Delta lawmakers for what he called “an exemplary show of progressive alliance.”
Rt. Hon. Guwor, who also serves as the National Treasurer of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, described the mass defection as a pivotal moment in the South-South’s political evolution.
“This signals a new chapter of cooperation and shared vision between Edo and Delta States, under the leadership of the APC,” he said.
The visit was attended by several members of the Edo State House of Assembly and marks a new phase in regional political alignment, with implications for national politics ahead of the 2027 election cycle
