Edo Rep Marcus Onobun Defects to APC Hours After PDP Resignation

Marcus Onobun, the lawmaker representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) just hours after tendering his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The federal lawmaker was formally received by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo on Friday, July 18, 2025. During the reception ceremony, Onobun explained that his decision to switch political allegiance was both ideological and strategic.

"I led the campaign for an Esan Governor. Now that we have one, I cannot be in the opposition. I have seen what Governor Okpebholo is doing. Edo people have seen it. I am back home to support him so that our people can get more," Onobun stated.

The former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly did not make the political transition alone. He was accompanied by numerous supporters who had previously followed him to the PDP. According to political analysts, this mass defection represents a significant consolidation of political strength ahead of future electoral contests in Edo State.

Governor Okpebholo, while welcoming Onobun and his supporters, described the defection as "the final blow to the PDP in Edo State." The governor confidently asserted that the APC now firmly controls Edo State and predicted that all remnants of opposition would be completely eliminated by the 2027 general elections.

"We are not lobbying anyone to join APC; they are coming because they see the results of our governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo were guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu," the governor declared.

BenriNews gathered that Onobun, who was once a close ally to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, had earlier on Friday submitted his resignation letter to the Acting chairman of the PDP in his ward 6, Esan West Local Government Area. The letter was also copied to the Acting local government chairman, the Acting Edo State chairman, and the Acting National Chairman of the party.

This defection adds to the growing list of political realignments in Edo State following the recent change in government leadership, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

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