Four months after joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engineer Esosa Iyawe, representative of Oredo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, has resigned from the party. He cited irreconcilable differences with Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo as the reason for his exit.
Iyawe, who defected from the Labour Party to the APC on December 20, 2025, announced his resignation in a letter dated May 6, 2026. The letter was addressed to the APC Ward Chairman in Ward 1, Oredo federal constituency, Edo State.
In the letter, Iyawe withdrew his interest in contesting the 2027 House of Representatives election under the APC. "I hereby withdraw my expression of interest to contest for the position of House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections and to resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective immediately," he wrote.
He thanked the APC for the opportunity to serve and said personal and political considerations shaped his decision. Iyawe disclosed plans to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stating the move aligns with his political convictions and aspirations.
APC Edo State spokesman Barrister Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie rejected the narrative of a defection, calling Iyawe's claim "far from correct." He insisted the party remains united and well-organised under Governor Okpebholo's leadership. Uwadiae-Igbinigie also cited ongoing defections into the APC as proof of its growing strength in the state.
