Ordia, Edionwele Dump PDP for APC, Reshape Edo Central Politics

By Patrick Akhere Ebojele

The political landscape of Edo Central witnessed a significant shift on Tuesday as former Senator Clifford Ordia and ex-House of Representatives member Joseph Edionwele defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The high-profile defections were announced at a well-attended gathering at Eguare Primary School in Irrua, a political hub of Esanland, drawing party leaders, supporters, and stakeholders from across the district.

The event, which featured chants of “Edo is shining” and a procession of supporters from Usugbenu Junction to the venue, quickly evolved from a routine reception into a major political statement, signaling a realignment of influence in Edo Central.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who formally received the defectors, described the development as a reflection of growing support for his administration’s policies and the SHINE development agenda.

Addressing the gathering, Ordia, who represented Edo Central in the Senate from 2015 to 2023, said the decision to join the APC was driven by the need to support ongoing development efforts in the state.

“We have come with all sense of responsibility to join our brother to ensure that Edo State gets the requisite development,” he said. “This is a call for Esan people and all Edo citizens to support what is working.”

He added, “If the governor is performing, what we should do is to join him—and that is what we have done.”
Similarly, Edionwele, who represented Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, described the APC as the emerging dominant platform in the region.
“We are here to join the performing governor.

This is not about competition but about complementing good governance,” he said, while hinting at more defections in the coming months.

The defections bring significant political weight to the APC in Edo Central, combining Ordia’s legislative experience with Edionwele’s grassroots network, a development analysts say could influence political dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Observers note that the move represents a setback for the PDP in the district, where both men have played key roles in shaping the party’s structure over the years. The party now faces the challenge of rebuilding its base in the absence of some of its most prominent figures.

For the APC, however, the development strengthens its foothold in a region considered critical to electoral success in Edo State.

As the gathering ended, supporters continued to echo the slogan “Edo is shining,” underscoring what many party faithful described as a new phase of political consolidation in Edo Central.