Frank Okiye, who previously served as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Reports from NewsNow indicate that Okiye’s exit from the party came just four days after former governorship aspirant Felix Akhabue also left the party.
Okiye was originally elected under the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the 2019 general election to represent Esan North-East II in the State House of Assembly.
He assumed the role of Speaker in June 2019 amidst controversy, where 14 elected members believed to be loyal to the former governor of the State, Adams Oshiomhole, were not sworn in.
In 2020, he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alongside Governor Godwin Obaseki as the governor sought a second term in office.
However, he was impeached by nine Assembly members in October 2020, just two weeks after Governor Godwin Obaseki secured re-election for a second term.
His resignation letter, dated May 10, 2024, and directed to the Ward 3 Chairman of the PDP in Arue-Uromi, titled ‘Withdrawal of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party’, was also sent to the Esan North-East council chairman of the party and the Edo State chairman.
Okiye, who was a three-time member of the State House of Assembly, explained that his decision to leave the party was influenced by the alleged isolation of the majority of his constituents and supporters by the State Government led by Governor Obaseki from the party and government activities in the state.
He also referred to the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the September 21 election, Asue Ighodalo, declaring his intention to continue Governor Obaseki’s policies if elected, as another factor behind his resignation.
“I am writing to formally announce my immediate withdrawal from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This decision is based on the exclusion of the majority of my constituents and supporters by the State Government under Governor Obaseki from the party and state government activities. Additionally, the party candidate’s intention to uphold the Governor’s agenda in the upcoming election, along with other personal reasons, has led me to this choice,” he expressed.