Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Chief Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, yesterday said his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by his desire to bring development to his constituency.
In a statement by his office, he faulted a report (not by The Nation) that he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to retain the benefits of his office.
He described the report as “misleading and malicious,” saying the allegation “is categorically false, baseless, and represents a clear misrepresentation of the Speaker’s statements and intentions”.
The statement from the Office of the Speaker reads: “To clarify, during his official announcement of defection, Rt. Hon. Chief Agbebaku stated that his move to the APC was driven by a commitment to promote sustained development for the people of Owan West Constituency.
“At no point did the Speaker imply that his defection was motivated by personal gain or financial benefits.
“He stressed the importance of greater collaboration with Governor Monday Okpebholo to deliver tangible benefits to the people.
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“Notably, he pointed out the governor’s recent approval for the rehabilitation of schools and roads in Owan West—projects that will directly impact the lives of his constituents.
“The Speaker remains dedicated to serving the public with integrity and purpose.
“He views the spread of such falsehoods as a distraction from the crucial work of governance and development.”
The Speaker urged the media outlet and others “to retract this erroneous publication and cease the dissemination of this misleading narrative”.
“The media has a responsibility to uphold truth, accuracy, and professionalism in their reporting,” he added.