Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, has announced his decision to leave the Labour Party (LP) and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District, revealed that he would formally declare for the APC on Thursday, June 12, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
He attributed his defection to what he described as the LP’s total lack of direction and leadership.
According to Imasuen, “As we speak today, the Labour Party, LP has lost direction, is a party that you cannot really say who is the Chairman of the party, the party has lost direction.”
“I heard from some quarters that with the crisis in the Labour Party, it may be difficult for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to download the name of the candidate because of the issue of who is the authentic national Chairman of the party.”
He lamented the party’s fragmentation and ideological confusion, saying, “Over the past months, it has become increasingly clear to me that the Labour Party as it currently stands, has become disconnected from the aspirations of the very Nigerians it seeks to lead.”
“Internal divisions, lack of ideological clarity, and inability to provide a credible, forward-looking agenda have made it difficult for leaders like me to pursue the reform of the political party.”
Imasuen also cited his admiration for President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, stating that the president’s courage and reform policies were part of what influenced his decision.
“The APC offers a more viable platform through which I can develop my national interest. The APC is a platform through which I can effectively serve my constituents. Advocating for progressive policies, I help move Nigeria forward.”
He continued, “I am also very happy that we have somebody like the President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is steering the ship of affairs today. I say so because of his courage. It takes courage to be able to do what he has done, and what he continues to do.”
“He has brought about certain policies that I believe that, as a matter of time, will begin to yield dividends. He’s not afraid to take on those issues that many of his predecessors stayed away from, just because they are interested in elections.”
“And for that, I salute him, and that is why I admire him because of that courage that he has to push the ship forward.”
Following his defection, the APC now has 69 senators in the 10th National Assembly, further consolidating its majority in the upper chamber.
When the two senators officially announce their defection at the Senate chamber, APC representation will increase to 71, while PDP’s will drop to 28. The numbers for the other parties will remain: LP – 4; NNPP – 1; SDP – 2; and APGA – 1.
