Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, has announced his intention to leave the Labour Party (LP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on 12 June, pointing to internal divisions within the LP and a need to align his district with federal development priorities.
Speaking during a constituency briefing in Benin on Sunday, the lawmaker said the move would enable him to better serve his constituents by tapping into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, marked his second year in the Senate at the event, where he also unveiled his legislative scorecard and community initiatives.
“I will be leaving the Labour Party to the APC as the current disarray in the LP will not help me achieve my aim for my people,” Imasuen said. “My movement will also help align Edo South with the federal government and bring development to our people.”
He insisted the decision was not driven by personal ambition or political survival, but rather by a strategic need to attract federal attention and investments to his senatorial district. “This is not opportunism. It is about impact and delivery,” he said.
Imasuen, who was elected in 2023 under the Labour Party platform during a wave of popular support for the party in Southern Nigeria, has emerged as a prominent legislative voice in the 10th National Assembly. Since assuming office, he has sponsored key bills, including the Federal College of Education, Abudu (Establishment) Bill, and has overseen the resolution of over 20 public petitions.
“These interventions have made a significant difference in the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said, noting that many of the resolved petitions originated from across the country, not just Edo South.
Beyond the National Assembly, Imasuen outlined several constituency-level initiatives such as vocational training programmes, agricultural extension schemes, rural health interventions, and scholarships for indigent students.
“We’ve focused on rubber, cocoa, and cashew farming,” he explained. “There are testimonies from farmers whose yields have improved significantly.”
Traditional birth attendants across rural communities have also benefited from targeted support, he added, describing the effort as critical to reducing maternal and infant mortality in underserved areas.
While acknowledging difficulties in sustaining constituency projects, particularly in rural zones, the senator called for stronger synergy between federal lawmakers and local government structures. “Without effective local government participation, even the best federal efforts will struggle to reach the people,” he noted.
Imasuen reaffirmed his support for the policy direction of President Tinubu’s administration and pledged to continue advocating for youth empowerment, healthcare delivery, and sustainable rural development.
