APC Surges Ahead in Esan West as High-Profile Defections Reshape Political Landscape Ahead of 2027

Urbanscoopnews | February 13, 2026

Ekpoma, Edo State — The political atmosphere in Esan West Local Government Area has taken a decisive turn as a wave of prominent opposition figures and their supporters formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), reinforcing the party’s dominance and significantly recalibrating the balance of power ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The well-attended defection ceremony, held at the APC Secretariat in Ekpoma, drew an expansive cross-section of party stakeholders, community leaders, youth groups, and women representatives from across the wards of Esan West. The atmosphere reflected what observers described as growing grassroots confidence in the APC’s leadership, organizational cohesion, and governance direction at both the state and national levels.

Receiving the defectors, Edo State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and Esan West Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors for Asiwaju 2027, Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe, characterized the development as a strategic consolidation that further strengthens the APC’s structure at the grassroots. He noted that sustained community engagement and policy-driven governance have increasingly positioned the party as the preferred political platform within the locality.

Among the notable defectors were former Esan West Local Government Chairman, Hon. Monday Abulu, and former PDP LGA Chairman, Barr. Victor Idiakheua, alongside other influential stakeholders whose political networks span multiple wards. Their decision to align with the APC is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the evolving political narrative of Esan West, given their longstanding influence and mobilization capacity within the local political framework.

Addressing party faithful, APC Esan West Local Government Leader Mr. Godday Okhilu welcomed the new members, assuring them of inclusion, equity, and active participation in party affairs. He emphasized that the steady influx of defectors reflects the tangible developmental strides recorded under the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo and the increasing desire among political actors to associate with a platform perceived as structured, forward-looking, and strategically positioned for electoral success.

Hon. Abulu explained that his decision, along with that of his supporters, was informed by what he described as the APC’s strong institutional framework and clear development-oriented agenda for Esan West and Edo State at large. Barr. Idiakheua similarly cited governance reforms, infrastructural initiatives, and growing internal unity within the party as decisive factors, pledging his commitment to supporting the governor’s administration and contributing meaningfully to the party’s growth.

Political analysts observe that such high-profile defections extend beyond symbolic gestures; they signal a broader realignment and consolidation of forces capable of reshaping electoral outcomes. By integrating experienced political actors and their grassroots networks, the APC appears to have further fortified its operational capacity and electoral readiness well ahead of the 2027 contest.

With momentum building steadily and opposition ranks thinning in key quarters, the developments in Esan West underscore a strategic advantage for the APC. As political preparations gradually intensify across Edo State, the party’s strengthened foothold in the locality positions it as a dominant force in what promises to be a closely watched electoral cycle.