You shall no longer labour in vain, Akpabio tells him
Defection of Senator Neda Imasuen from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may appear routine on the surface, but it signals a deeper strategic realignment in Nigeria’s evolving political chessboard, particularly in the volatile South-South region.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, led an enthusiastic welcome for the Edo South Senator, declaring before a packed chamber, “Distinguished Senator Neda Imasuen, you shall no longer Labour in vain.” It was more than just a pun, it was a sharp political signal aimed squarely at the cracking foundation of the LP.
Imasuen’s defection letter, read during plenary, cited the LP’s protracted leadership crisis and his constituents’ desire for “national political relevance” as key drivers of his exit.
“This move aligns with our people’s aspirations and the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the lawmaker said, pledging to use his legislative influence to bring dividends of democracy to Edo South.
The Senate chamber responded with applause, backslaps, and strategic smiles, as the APC tightened its grip on yet another voice in the upper chamber.
With Imasuen’s exit, the LP loses one of its few remaining voices in the Red Chamber, raising questions about its viability as a national platform rather than a protest movement.
