Chieftain of the All-Progressives Congress and lawmaker Emmanuel Agbaje, who served as Akoko-Edo II’s representative in the state House of Assembly from 2015 to 2023, has left the party just 19 days before the September 21 governorship election.
Agbaje expressed his dissatisfaction and alleged side-lining in the scheme of things in the party and his ward which was contained in a letter dated September 2, 2024, addressed to the chairman of Ward 10 in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The letter read in part, “This decision has not been taken lightly, but after careful consideration and consultation with my support base and leaders, I believe it is the best course of action for me at this time.
“Since democracy provides for choices, I am entitled to review my involvement and seek alignment that recognizes loyalty, dedication, and sacrifices. 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 party, it is 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.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your leadership and support during my time in the party. I have valued our working relationship and the shared commitment we have had to the ideals of the APC; I look forward to a continuous robust relationship that benefits our people and communities.”
Agbaje was the only APC member in the state House of Assembly, aside from the 14 who were not inaugurated in as lawmakers in 2019.
Prior to the 2020 governorship race, he did not defect from the APC alongside Governor Godwin Obaseki to the Peoples Democratic Party. It was learnt that from that point on until the conclusion of his term, he was not granted any privileges as a lawmaker except from his monthly income.
It was gathered that he was not also consulted when the APC governorship campaign council was being constituted as members who were then in the PDP in his ward were made members of the council without consulting him.
