Reps Spokesperson Philip Agbese Defects to Labour Party

On Tuesday, during a plenary session, Philip Agbese, the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, formally announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party (LP). Agbese, who represents the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, attributed his exit from the APC to ongoing internal crises within the party.

Despite his defection, he reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and expressed his commitment to the vision of the state. Speaker Tajudeen Abba expressed surprise at Agbese's departure, noting that he was the first member of the 10th House of Representatives to leave a major party for the Labour Party.

Agbese's decision was influenced by consultations with his constituents, as he aims to pursue a new political direction ahead of the 2027 elections. He pledged loyalty to the Labour Party leadership, including its national chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, and emphasized the importance of mobilizing support for future elections in Benue State.