The senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen of the Labour Party, has reportedly finalised plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Spear News has learned.
Senator Imasuen who is the Chairman, Senat Committee on Ethics and Privilege, has been engaged in a series of high-level consultations with key figures in the Edo State chapter of the APC in recent days. These discreet meetings have intensified speculation about an imminent cross-carpeting by the federal lawmaker.
Spear News gathered that there was a particularly engagement at the weekend between the Senator and the Special Adviser on Political Matters to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Eugene Utubor.
Observers have interpreted the meeting as a strong signal of the senator’s potential realignment, given Utubor’s influential position as one of the governor’s closest political strategists.
Sources privy to the discussions have confirmed that during the meeting, Governor Okpebholo’s political adviser, Utubor, made a direct proposition to Senator Imasuen, formally inviting him to defect to the ruling party.
Utubor according to our findings, carefully articulated the APC’s position as a broad-based political platform actively seeking to incorporate influential leaders who share the party’s developmental vision for Edo State. The governor’s aide reportedly stressed that the ruling party particularly values progress-driven politicians of Senator Imasuen’s ilks who have demonstrated genuine commitment to grassroots development.
“The governor has done remarkably well in such a short time. It is crucial that we come together to ensure the success of his vision for our people.
“Every well-meaning Edo citizen is encouraged to rally around the governor as he works diligently for our collective progress”, Senator Imasuen had stated during the meeting.
Should Senator Imasuen jump ship as rumoured, the political arithmetic in Edo State’s National Assembly representation would take a new shape. The move would elevate the APC’s senatorial presence in the state to two seats, joining former governor Adams Oshiomhole who currently represents Edo North Senatorial District.
This potential shift in the political landscape comes as Edo Central Senatorial District remains without representation following the vacancy created by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s transition from the Senate to the governorship. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to announce a date for the crucial by-election to fill this vacant seat, leaving the district’s constituents without senatorial representation in the interim.
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