*Edo Speaker Addresses False Claims Regarding Party Defection*
The Office of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chief Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, wishes to respond to a misleading and malicious report published by Daily Trust and circulated on social media. This report falsely claims that the Speaker has defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to retain the benefits of his office.
This allegation is categorically false, baseless, and represents a clear misrepresentation of the Speaker’s statements and intentions.
To clarify, during his official announcement of defection, Rt. Hon. Chief Agbebaku stated that his move to the APC was driven by a commitment to promote sustained development for the people of Owan West Constituency. At no point did the Speaker imply that his defection was motivated by personal gain or financial benefits.
He stressed the importance of greater collaboration with the State Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, to deliver tangible benefits to the people. Notably, he pointed out the Governor's recent approval for the rehabilitation of schools and roads in Owan West—projects that will directly impact the lives of his constituents.
The Speaker remains dedicated to serving the public with integrity and purpose. He views the spread of such falsehoods as a distraction from the crucial work of governance and development.
We urge Daily Trust and other media platforms to retract this erroneous publication and cease the dissemination of this misleading narrative. The media has a responsibility to uphold truth, accuracy, and professionalism in their reporting.
Signed,
Office of the Speaker
Edo State House of Assembly
