The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has cautioned against lawmakers remaining in opposition parties, saying it is very difficult for such members to attract development to their constituencies.
DAILY POST reports that the Speaker gave the advice while welcoming Hon. Frank Omosigho, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP member representing Oredo East constituency, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Agbebaku, speaking at plenary on Monday, December 15, 2025, opined that it is very risky for a member of the House to remain in opposition. He noted that lawmakers should prioritise the interests of their constituents above personal considerations.
“One of our colleagues just joined the moving train. The honourable member representing Oredo East. He has finally joined the All Progressive Congress. This increases the number of APC in the house to 21.
“So let me congratulate the member representing Oredo East. It is very dangerous for a member of the house to be in opposition. It has been so. If you find yourself in opposition, taking development to your area will be very difficult. It is not about you. It is about your people. That is the truth,” he said.
He added that he himself was insulted and called names by his constituents when he defected from PDP to APC.
Agbebaku, noting that the defected lawmaker may be enduring the same verbal attacks, asserted: “Today, I think my people are very happy for my decision.
“When I defected to APC, there were attacks on me here and there. But Today, my people, they are enjoying the dividends of democracy. If I had been in opposition, I don’t think I would have done that in my area. I wouldn’t have been able to do all that I have done there. It is not about myself. It is about my people.”
The Speaker further announced that the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, would be presenting the 2026 appropriation bill to the House on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
With the defection of Hon. Frank Omosigho to APC, the ruling party now has 21 members in the House, while PDP has only three members. Those still in PDP are Charity Aiguobarueghia Ighodala, Minority Leader; Maria Edeko, former Deputy Speaker; and Natasha Osawaru Irobosa.