Just 19 days before the September 21 governorship election, Emmanuel Agbaje, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) member and former lawmaker for Akoko-Edo II in the state House of Assembly from 2015 to 2023, has left the party.
In a letter addressed to his Ward 10 chairman in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, dated September 2, 2024, Agbaje expressed feelings of alienation and claimed he had been sidelined within the party and his ward.
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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 lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, aside from the 14 who were not inaugurated in 2019.