On Monday, eight former Edo State local government chairmen who had joined Governor Godwin Obaseki’s Peoples Democratic Party in 2020 made a return to the All Progressives Congress.

Former Etsako Central Local Government chairman John Akhigbe, Dr. Josie Ogedegbe, Igueben, Frank Ilaboya, Owan West, Andrew Osigwe, Owan East, Napoleon Agbama, Uhunmwonde, Austin Okoibhole, Esan North East, Mrs. Ruth Osahor, Esan West, and Scott Ogbemudia, Ovia North East, all made a commitment to support the party and work toward its election victory on September 21, 2024.

On Monday evening, the APC governorship candidate Monday Okpebholo, his running partner Dennis Idahosa, and the party’s acting state chairman, Jaret Tenebe, were met at the Benin mansion of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the leader of the party.

Receiving them, Oshiomhole, said, “On behalf of our state chairman, the APC family, and the governor in-waiting, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, I am very honoured to receive my men – these are people whom God used me to mobilise into ACN and now APC. Some of them have played very critical roles in governance when I was governor. They were local government council chairmen.

“Like every family, sometimes there are misunderstandings or communication gaps which made them leave the party, but today, they’ve come to inform us they are moving back home.

“The good news is that this house is so large with many rooms and a big living room which can accommodate everyone as it has accommodated all of us today without much planning, no logistics is involved and no hiring of canopy.

“So, for me, I am excited that these men have chosen to return home, and we’ve all resolved to receive them as if they never left. They will enjoy all the rights and privileges that members of the APC enjoy.