Okpebholo Consolidates Political Grip as PDP Structure Collapses in Edo Central

Kingsley Ohens reporting

In a significant realignment of political forces within Edo Central Senatorial District, Governor Monday Okpebholo has further strengthened the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as key figures and remaining structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formally defected to the ruling party.

The high-profile defection, which took place on Tuesday at Eguare Primary School in Irrua, marks what observers describe as a decisive turning point in the political architecture of Edo Central. Leading the exodus were former Senator Clifford Ordia and Rt. Hon. Joe Edionwele, alongside a broad coalition of PDP stalwarts and grassroots mobilizers who had hitherto sustained the party’s presence in the district.

The event, attended by party faithful, community leaders, and political stakeholders, effectively signaled the near-total collapse of the PDP’s operational base in Edo Central. Once regarded as a competitive political force in the region, the PDP now appears to have been reduced to a skeletal structure, struggling to maintain relevance amid a wave of defections driven by shifting loyalties and strategic recalculations.

Political analysts note that the defection of Senator Ordia and Rt. Hon. Edionwele carries both symbolic and structural implications. As influential figures with deep-rooted networks, their departure not only weakens the PDP’s leadership hierarchy but also dismantles its grassroots machinery, leaving the party with little more than a nominal presence in the district.

Governor Okpebholo’s growing influence has been widely credited for this political shift. Since assuming office, the governor has pursued an aggressive consolidation strategy, combining infrastructural development with political engagement to attract opposition figures into the APC fold. His approach appears to be yielding tangible results, as evidenced by the steady erosion of opposition ranks.

At the Irrua event, defectors cited a loss of direction within the PDP and expressed confidence in the leadership and vision of Governor Okpebholo. They emphasized the need to align with what they described as a forward-moving administration committed to development, inclusivity, and effective governance.

The language used by several speakers underscored the depth of disaffection within the PDP, with some describing the party in Edo Central as “a shadow of its former self,” plagued by internal disunity, waning influence, and an inability to inspire confidence among its members.

For the APC, the development represents a strategic victory with far-reaching implications ahead of future electoral contests. By absorbing key opposition figures and consolidating grassroots support, the party has effectively neutralized its primary rival in the district, positioning itself as the unchallenged political force in Edo Central.

Conversely, the PDP now faces the daunting task of rebuilding from near obscurity in the region. With its leadership ranks depleted and its support base significantly eroded, the party’s prospects in Edo Central appear increasingly uncertain.

As the political dust settles, the events in Irrua may well be remembered as the moment the balance of power decisively tilted in favor of Governor Okpebholo and the APC—leaving the PDP grappling with the consequences of a dramatic and potentially irreversible decline.