The Chairman of Ovia South West local government area of Edo State, Edosa Enowoghomenma, has defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Enowoghomenma defected to APC with eight elected councillors including the Leader of the House, Nosakhare Edobor.

Also, the chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Dickson Ahonsi and five elected councillors also defected to the APC.

The defectees were received by the State Secretary of the party, Lawrence Okah and other members of the state executive committee.

This is coming amid the face-off between the councils and the state governor, Monday Okpebholo.

Speaking, Ahonsi said Okpebholo’s developmental strides since assuming office informed their decision to defect to APC.

He said “Firstly, his activities on the assumption of office were impressive as he made important appointments, unlike the previous government. Soon the list of commissioners will be released and it is a welcome development.

“The projects that he has embarked upon show clearly that Edo is in safe hands and that is why I am here to join the party.”

A former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed gratitude to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for “giving” Nyesom Wike to the Tinubu administration.

Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, hailed the PDP for the developmental strides of Wike and thanked the party for allowing him to serve as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, under the APC administration.

Wike, a PDP stalwart, supported Tinubu, the APC candidate, in the 2023 presidential election after a fallout with his party.

As a reward for his support for the emergence of the former Lagos State governor, the former Rivers State helmsman was appointed as the Minister of the FCT.

Oshiomhole likened this to a football club allowing its “best player” to join a rival.

“Thank you to PDP for giving us Nyesom Wike to help us fix Abuja. I don’t belong to any club; I only belong to Bendel Insurance, but I listen to those who say they are Manchester United fans [and the likes].

“When you are giving your best player to another club, you pay heavily,” the lawmaker representing Edo North said on Friday at a New Year luncheon organised by Wike in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

“Thank you for what you’re helping us in APC to do. PDP Rivers led you to us without saying we should pay a transfer fee. We may not be happy to return you; we would even create a toll gate to prevent that.

“Tonight, we are celebrating a Nigerian who is adding value to the FCT, who is showing there has to be the rule of law and that we must respect certain environmental laws.

“So, thank you for what you are doing in Nigeria; thank you for what you are doing in Abuja.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning about the importance of honoring those who have worked hard to build success.

The former Rivers State governor, urged against the abandonment of individuals who have contributed to one’s rise.

His caution, laden with political undertones, highlights a common theme in leadership: loyalty and the value of maintaining relationships with those who helped in achieving power.

However, his remarks also reflect a deeper, perhaps more cynical, observation of the transient nature of political alliances, where leaders may be quick to forget their supporters once they reach the pinnacle.

In a broader context, Wike’s words also serve as a critique of the opportunism that often underpins political dynamics, where gratitude is seldom sustained and those who worked behind the scenes are left in the shadows once power shifts.

While a valid point about integrity and reciprocity, his caution also raises questions about the inherent hypocrisy of politics, where promises of loyalty often dissolve in the face of personal gain.

Wike addressed the public in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, during the 2025 New Year Luncheon on NTA, which was monitored by The Story on Friday, January 3, 2025.

He said: “All I am saying, don’t abandon people who labor for you day and night.

“Every person who supports you needs something. You’re not the most handsome person. You’re not the most beautiful person.

“They’re supporting you believing that when you come in on board, something will happen to you in their lives.

“That’s how it is. So, don’t use that excuse now. Like all these. people who are abusing me. People like David Briggs.

“If you hear the story of David Briggs, you wouldn’t have the idea. But let it be so.

“So, I’m telling you now, don’t abandon these people who labor for you day and night, don’t abandon them.

“Because what do you see in governors? Oh, the one you can’t, tell me, I won’t do it. Don’t pretend.

“Say, sir, why I can’t do this? See, see, see. I tell people, those who come to me, I say, look, you’re right, For this one, I can’t do this. This one, let me look into that. It will save you than to say,. you know, I just want to play him”, he warned.