From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Senator representing Edo South, Neda Imasuen, has announced plans to defect from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on 12 June, citing disarray in his party as reason for his decision.
Speaking in Benin City to mark his second year in office, Imasuen, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, said the move is aimed at better aligning Edo South with federal development priorities under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He defended his defection as a strategic decision, not opportunism, and outlined his legislative and community achievements to include the Federal College of Education, Abudu (Establishment) Bill and resolution of over 20 public petitions.
He also highlighted vocational training schemes, agricultural support programmes, and a rural initiative training traditional birth attendants and award of scholarships to students in the district among his achievements.
Acknowledging challenges in sustaining constituency projects, Imasuen called for stronger local government cooperation and pledged continued focus on health, youth empowerment, and rural development, expressing firm support for President Tinubu’s policies.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, he revealed that over 20 public petitions from across the country have been successfully resolved under his leadership, saying “These interventions have made a significant difference in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”
Senator Imasuen underscored his efforts in promoting agriculture, a sector he described as the cornerstone of national survival.
He disclosed that several agricultural programmes have been implemented in Edo South to train farmers in modern techniques and provide tools for enhanced productivity.
“We’ve focused on rubber, cocoa, and cashew farming. There are testimonies from farmers whose yields have improved significantly,” he said.