Edo Guber: APC Suffers Serious Setback As Influential Chieftain Dumps Party
A two term lawmaker on the platform of the All Progressives Congress known to be very influential in his constituency and the zone, Hon Emmanuel Agbaje has resigned from the Party less than three weeks to the Edo State Governorship election.
Hon Agbaje represented Akoko Edo II Constituency in the State House of Assembly from 2011 to 2023 said he is leaving the party after critical evaluation of happenings within.
Hon. Agbaje served his second term between 2019 and 2023 as a legislator as the only lawmaker on the platform of the APC in the state House of Assembly besides the 14 elected lawmaker that were not inaugurated in 2019.
It was gathered that during the period, Agbaje refused to defect with Governor Godwin Obaseki from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2020 governorship election in spite of the pressure brought to bear on him, a decision that led to his being denied entitlements as a lawmaker except his statutory monthly salary.
Agbaje in a letter he addressed to his Ward 10 chairman in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, said that after careful consideration and consultation with his support base and leaders, he believes that his decision to quit the APC was the best course of action for him at this time.
He complained of alleged alienation and sidelining of the core faithful members of the party in the scheme of things, stressing that since democracy provides for choices, he and his supporters were entitled to review their involvement and seek an alignment that recognizes loyalty, dedication, and sacrifices. In the words of Agbaje; “I can no longer accept the deliberate alienation and the sidelining of core Party faithful and leaders particularly from our ward.
“As a founding member of the APC, it was a difficult decision considering the relationships built within the party over the years as well as the feelings of good friends who may choose to remain.
“My assurances are that our friendship and relationships remain protected and insulated. Life outside politics is larger,” he enthused.
He thanked the leadership of the Party at the Ward for the support during his time in the party, adding that he valued their working relationship and the shared commitment they had towards the ideals of the APC.
“I look forward to a continuous robust relationship that benefits our people and communities,” Agbaje concluded.
One of the complaints of Hon Agbaje was premised on the lack of consultation and inclusion when the APC Governorship Campaign Council was being constituted as new members who defected from the PDP in his ward were made members of the Council without consulting him.
