Hon. Esosa Iyawe, the lawmaker representing Oredo Federal Constituency, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) just two days after purchasing the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 elections.
Iyawe was elected to the House of Representatives in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party during the party’s surge in Edo South, driven by the “Obidient” movement. He defected to the APC in late 2024 alongside several other Labour Party lawmakers, citing the need to align with the federal and state governments to attract development to his constituency.
Party sources in Edo State said Iyawe’s exit followed a clear signal that he would not secure the APC ticket as Governor Monday Okpebholo is reportedly backing Dr. Paddy Iyamu for the Oredo seat, a move seen as an effort to consolidate control over the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 polls.
In his resignation letter, Iyawe said he was withdrawing from the House of Representatives race and leaving the APC with immediate effect. He cited “irreconcilable differences” with Governor Okpebholo as the reason.
“This regrettable decision was made after careful reflection and consideration,” he wrote. “Due to personal and political reasons, I have decided to withdraw my membership and align myself with another political platform, the Nigeria Democratic Party.”
He asked that his resignation be recorded by the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, and that he be relieved of all rights and obligations tied to APC membership.
Iyawe’s departure adds to the wave of defections and counter-defections playing out in Edo politics since the 2024 governorship election.
The APC, which reclaimed the state with Okpebholo’s victory, has been working to absorb defectors from the PDP and Labour Party while managing internal rivalry over who controls party tickets in 2027.
Oredo Federal Constituency, which covers Benin City’s core, is a politically competitive zone. It was a Labour Party stronghold in 2023 but has historically swung between the PDP and APC. Iyawe’s move to the Nigeria Democratic Party, a smaller platform, suggests he will run as an outsider candidate in 2027.
Political observers say his exit weakens the APC’s hold on Oredo and could split the anti-PDP vote if other defectors follow.
The APC is yet to respond officially to the resignation.