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By our reporter
Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal crisis and a lack of direction within the LP as the primary reasons for his decision.
The announcement was made during a plenary session of the Senate, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio formally acknowledged Imasuen’s defection. This marks a significant political shift in Edo State, as Imasuen has been one of the more prominent figures elected under the LP banner in recent years.
Imasuen, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, stated that the move to the APC was a “strategic decision” made in the best interest of the people of Edo South. He emphasized that the ongoing disarray within the Labour Party had made it difficult to pursue meaningful legislative progress or community development initiatives.
“The current disunity and internal conflict in the Labour Party will not allow me to realize my goals for my constituents,” Imasuen said during a recent political gathering in Benin City to mark his second year in the National Assembly.
He also expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, commending the administration’s economic and social policies. According to Imasuen, joining the APC presents a better platform to align with national development strategies and effectively deliver dividends of democracy to his constituents.
However, the senator’s political journey is not without controversy. Imasuen has previously been implicated in a major financial fraud case in the United States. According to court filings from the U.S. Department of Justice, Imasuen was named as a central figure in a sophisticated bank fraud scheme that defrauded American financial institutions of over $25 million.
Investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that Imasuen, who practiced law in the United States at the time, allegedly orchestrated several of the transactions central to the fraud. He was reportedly involved in facilitating and arranging deals that formed the core of the fraudulent activities in connection with one of his associates, Imran Ismile Badoolah. Following the indictment of his accomplices, Imasuen allegedly fled the United States and has since remained beyond the reach of American law enforcement.
His defection to the APC, despite these allegations, raises renewed questions about the accountability and vetting processes for political officeholders in Nigeria. Critics argue that his political relevance, despite unresolved legal controversies abroad, reflects a broader challenge within Nigeria’s political and judicial systems.
As the 2027 general elections loom on the horizon, Imasuen’s move is expected to shift political dynamics in Edo State and could influence the realignment of power blocs ahead of the gubernatorial race. His defection may also intensify the debate over the ideological coherence of political parties in Nigeria, where politicians frequently switch allegiance, often citing strategic or developmental interests.
Observers will be watching closely to see how Imasuen’s transition affects the APC’s structure in Edo State and whether the Labour Party can recover from the loss of a high-profile lawmaker amid ongoing internal challenges.
