By Anne Azuka
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has played host to some members of the Delta State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, in Benin City, the state capital.
The Speaker and his team were in Benin, in solidarity with their counterparts in the Edo State House of Assembly, where members elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, including the Speaker, Rt Hon Blessing Agbebaku, defected to All Progressives Congress, APC.
On the entourage of Rt Hon Guwor were the Majority Leader of the Delta State Assembly, Hon Emeka Nwaobi; Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro; Deputy Chief Whip, Fred Martins; Majority Whip, Bernard Odior, as well as Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West; Emmanuel Sinebe, Patani; Bridget Anyafulu, Oshimili South and Blessing Achoja Ethiope West constituency.
Rt Hon Guwor told the Edo State Governor that the camaraderie that exists between members of the Delta and Edo State Houses of Assembly has been overwhelming, hence the solidarity with the Speaker, Rt Hon Blessing Agbebaku and others that were defecting from PDP to the APC.
The Speaker informed the Edo Governor that twenty-two PDP members in the Delta State Assembly, including himself, had earlier in the day formally signed off PDP for APC during the resumed plenary session of the House on Tuesday.
Guwor said it was a well thought out decision, done in the overall best interest of Deltans and pledged support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Responding, the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, expressed delight for the visit, saying that the presence of team of Legislators from Delta State to the historic event was a great honour to the state.
Governor Okpebholo praised the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, for his developmental strides and pledged stronger collaboration between Edo and Delta States.
Rt Hon Guwor, Nwaobi, along side the seven others, were earlier received by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, who also led the visiting Delta Lawmakers to the Governor.
Rt. Hon. Agbebaku while receiving the Delta delegation, commended them for their show of unity and progressive alliance.
Delta Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, who is the National Treasurer, Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, had described the mass defection of PDP members to APC, as a significant political realignment in the South-South region.
He said the movement signals a new chapter in South-South politics, with Delta and Edo states strengthening ties under the APC.
The visits were witnessed by some members of the Edo State House of Assembly.
