Senator Neda Imasuen, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, has announced his intention to defect from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Representing the Edo South Senatorial District, Imasuen revealed that his formal declaration to join the APC will take place on Thursday, June 12, in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.
Explaining his decision to Sunday Vanguard, Senator Imasuen expressed grave concerns over what he described as the disintegration and lack of leadership within the Labour Party. He lamented that the party has become rudderless and fractured, with no clear authority or direction.
“As it stands today, the Labour Party has lost its way. It is no longer a party with a defined leadership structure. You can’t even say for certain who the national chairman is,” he stated. “I’ve also heard troubling reports that due to the internal crisis, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may face difficulties in recognizing candidates submitted by the party. That level of dysfunction is alarming.”
The senator elaborated further on his disillusionment with the LP, citing a fundamental disconnect between the party and the hopes of ordinary Nigerians. “Over the past several months, it has become increasingly evident to me that the Labour Party is no longer in tune with the aspirations of the Nigerian people. The party is plagued by internal divisions, lacks ideological consistency, and has failed to offer a credible, forward-thinking vision for the future,” he lamented.
In contrast, Imasuen praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold leadership style and his readiness to implement tough but necessary reforms for national development. He stated that his decision to join the APC is rooted in his admiration for President Tinubu’s courage and long-term vision for the country.
“I am particularly inspired by President Tinubu’s leadership. It takes courage to make the kinds of decisions he’s making—policies that many of his predecessors were reluctant to even touch because of political convenience. These reforms, I believe, will yield positive outcomes over time. For this, I admire and salute the President,” he said.
Imasuen further noted that the APC offers a more stable and functional platform for leaders who are genuinely committed to national progress and effective representation of their constituents.
“Joining the APC is about more than political alignment; it’s about having a viable platform to serve my constituents and contribute meaningfully to national development. The APC provides a framework through which I can advance progressive policies and help move Nigeria forward,” he declared.
He emphasized that his move to the APC was also motivated by a desire to support the President’s vision and reforms from within a ruling party that he now considers more aligned with his ideals. “This is my contribution to nation-building. Supporting the President from within the APC allows me to play a more active and impactful role,” he added.
With Imasuen’s defection, the number of APC senators in the 10th National Assembly rises to 69, further consolidating the party’s majority in the upper chamber and strengthening its influence on legislative affairs.