Hendrix Oliomogbe
The leadership of the Edo State chapter of Labour Party (LP) has vehemently disassociated itself from the defection of some members of the party to the budding Africa Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking with journalists Monday, February 23, 2026 in Benin City, the state chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi said that today's defection of the party's governorship candidate in the 2024 election, Mr. Olumide Akpata, his running mate, Mr. Asamah Kadiri and others to ADC does not involve the LP structure in Edo State.
Flanked by the secretary, Comrade Frederick Akhere, Ogbaloi noted that the defection plot was carefully planned to deceive gullible followers and unsuspecting members of the public.
While urging LP faithful to disregard the false narrative of the party collapsing its structure into ADC in the state, he added that the party structure in the state and all the 192 wards remains intact.
He said: "The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) Edo State has observed with deep concern and utter dismay the recent activities of some members of our party. After repeated, but utterly unsuccessful attempts to lure the party's established State Executive Committee, Local Government Area (LGA) structures, and ward-level organs into defecting with them to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) now resorted to assembling a small group of paid individuals who are not members of Labour Party (LP) and allegedly hiring commercial crowds for a staged, deceptive defection event scheduled for Tuesday, 23rd February 2026.
He alleged that the desperate, disgraceful, and cheap political plot, which was planned to deceive gullible followers and unsuspecting Nigerians that the entire Edo State LP has collapsed into the ADC is nothing but a shameless attempt to create a false narrative to Mr. Peter Obi, its presidential in the 20123 presidential election, that the he still wields meaningful grip on the Edo State LP structure.
He continue: "While every Nigerian citizen is free to join or associate with any political party of their choice, the Labour Party as an institution cannot and will not “decamp” to another party except through a formal, legally recognised merger, a process that has not taken place between the LP and the ADC. Individuals including those who have arrogated the leadership of Labour Party to themselves and whatever small crowd they assembles tomorrow, including the paid ones, reserve the right to exercise their personal choices."
Mr. Ogaloi emphasized that the state LP structures remain intact, formidable, united, cohesive, and fully operational down to the ward level, under the resolute and unwavering leadership of the State Executive Committee.
The chairman said that the party remained committed to a successful outing in the 2027 generation elections, assuring members and voters who love to ideals and manifestos of the party that it will not be distracted by photo-op defection of those few individuals and their rented crowd.
He added: "We remain unequivocally committed to the success of the Labour Party in the 2027 general elections, all things being equal. We earnestly hope and urge all individuals involved in this shameful and desperate act of defection to reconsider their position and return to the Labour Party, where the authentic structures and genuine supporters await. With the leadership crisis now fully resolved, the party stands stronger and more united than ever.
"The Labour Party Edo State will not be distracted by photo-op defection, ceremonies, rented crowds, or deceptive spectacles. Our focus remains on rebuilding, mobilizing, and delivering for the party and the progressive ideals the party represents. We call on all genuine members and supporters across the 18 LGAs and 192 Wards to stay resolute, ignore these divisive antics, and continue the work of strengthening the party from the grassroots."
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