Murphy Omoruyi, the last Labour Party (LP) member in Edo State’s House of Representatives, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing persistent crises within his former party and the demands of his constituents. Omoruyi, who represents Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, addressed journalists in Benin City on Tuesday, describing his decision as a response to local calls for change. He explained that his loyalty to the LP had previously earned him the nickname “The Last Man Standing,” but ongoing intractable crises within the party made his continued membership untenable. “However, in spite of all efforts, the intractable crises rocking the Labour Party have made my continued stay in the party impossible,” he added. This defection consolidates the ADC’s growing presence in Edo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, while highlighting continued realignments among opposition politicians in Nigeria.

Source: The Guardian January 06, 2026 19:20 UTC