Senator Neda Imasuen, the lawmaker representing Edo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has announced plans to leave the Labour Party (LP) and officially defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Senator Imasuen, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, made this disclosure on Sunday, June 9, citing persistent internal crisis within the Labour Party as the major reason for his decision.
Imasuen, who was elected into the Senate in 2023 under the Labour Party platform, said his defection is a strategic move aimed at bringing development to his people in Edo South by aligning with the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said the disunity within the Labour Party has hampered his legislative efforts and made it difficult to attract meaningful federal presence to his senatorial district.
The Senator explained that his choice to join the APC is based on the need to properly integrate his senatorial zone into the mainstream of Nigerian politics, particularly as the Tinubu administration is pushing forward with its Renewed Hope Agenda. According to him, the only way Edo South can benefit from federal projects, infrastructure, and socioeconomic development is by being in alignment with the ruling party.
In his words, “I will be leaving the Labour Party to the APC as the current disarray in the LP will not help me achieve my aim for my people. My movement will also help align Edo South with the federal government and bring development to our people.”
Senator Imasuen said his decision should not be seen as political opportunism but rather a practical step to serve his constituents better. He added that his legislative and community achievements so far are proof of his commitment to development, and he intends to do more under the APC platform.
The Senator said some of the key challenges he has faced as a lawmaker include inadequate cooperation from local government structures and difficulties in sustaining constituency projects due to budgetary and political limitations. He mentioned that many of his initiatives, particularly in health, education, youth empowerment, and rural infrastructure, have been stalled due to lack of political will and coordination at the grassroots level.
He said, “What we need now is cooperation. Our local governments must be active participants in the development process. My work has always been about the people, and I want to ensure we benefit from the opportunities available under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.”
Senator Imasuen also used the opportunity to reaffirm his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, commending the president’s economic reforms, youth-focused programmes, and commitment to national unity. He said his decision to join APC is in the best interest of Edo South and will help unlock more federal resources and policy attention for the region.
The defection of Senator Imasuen comes amid a wave of defections in Edo State politics. Earlier this year, four members of the Edo State House of Assembly—Hon. Donald Okugbe, Hon. Bright Iyamu, Hon. Richard Edosa, and Hon. Sunday Ojezele—also dumped their parties for the APC, citing similar issues of internal crises and political realignment.
Political analysts have described the recent defections as a significant shift in the Edo State political landscape, especially ahead of the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election. The APC now controls a growing number of lawmakers at both state and federal levels from the state, boosting its position and influence.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party leadership has continued to decry the defections of its members, calling them a betrayal of voters’ trust. The party has threatened legal action, referring to Section 68(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides conditions under which elected legislators can change political parties without losing their seats.
Despite the potential legal battles, Senator Imasuen said he is confident that his decision is within the law and in line with his constitutional rights. He emphasized that his focus remains on the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Edo South, particularly in the areas of health services, job creation, infrastructure, and rural empowerment.
As the political environment in Edo State continues to shift, Senator Imasuen’s defection is expected to generate more conversations around the future of the Labour Party in the state and the realignment of power ahead of critical elections.
