Breaking: Popular Southern APC Federal Lawmaker Resigns, Gives Reason
- Esosa Iyawe, the lawmaker representing Oredo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, has dumped the APC ahead of the 2027 elections
- Iyawe, in his resignation letter, attributed the move to the unresolved differences between him and Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state
- The federal lawmaker then announced his next political move, a development that has got Nigerians talking about his action
Esosa Iyawe, the lawmaker representing Oredo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, has resigned his membership from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irreconciliable differences between him and Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state.
In a letter addressed to the ward chairman in the Oredo local government area of Edo state, dated Wednesday, May 7, 2026, the lawmaker said he would be joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Source: Twitter
He maintained that "this regrettable decision had been made after careful reflection and consideration", while expressing gratitude to the APC for having the opportunity to be associated with the ruling party.
This is coming amid alignment and realignment by politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, as well as the directive of President Bola Tinubu that governors were in charge of the party primaries in their states.
Nigerians react as APC lawmaker resigns
However, the federal lawmaker has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their comments:
Fadoro Tobi criticised the lawmaker:
"Once we see people like this, let’s ensure we call them out. You’re welcome o, but no show. People can’t be irresponsible, carrying the masses’ mandate to align with those they suffered to push out with their votes. No convictions, just pure 'where’s my next big meal?' How can people vote against this evil government, and then you vote in hopes they got it right, now carrying your two left legs to join the oppressor they hoped to break free from?"
Source: Twitter
Itse knocked the House of Reps member:
"Send this guy away from the NDC. He got into the house by reason of the PO/LP wave. Defected to the APC after he got in. He’s seen APC being doing consensus and knows his governor won't pick him to go back, so he’s back again. Him dey crase."
Obi's First Daughter said the lawmaker will return to the APC after winning on the platform of the NDC:
"After winning in NDC, he'll go back to APC just as he did after winning in LP using Peter Obi wave. Use PO, dump him. Then come back again, use & dump him again. Rince & repeat. I don't blame him. People like him think we're fools. I just hope we're not. Because if he gets a ticket."
Sagumwenro vowed to campaign against him:
"I will definitely campaign against you, after winning under the Labour Party with the influence of Peter Obi, you rush and joined APC because you think Tinubu will give u a free ticket."
You can read his full resignation letter on X here:
List of lawmakers who have defected
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Senate and the House of Representatives were shaken following a mass resignation of lawmakers from the ADC on Tuesday, May 5.
The development came 48 hours after Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso decided to dump the coalition for the NDC in the pursuit of their presidential ambition.
Four senators and 18 members of the House of Representatives dumped the ADC and joined the former presidential candidates in the NDC, except 1 senator and 1 Reps member, who joined another party.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
