Marcus Onobun, a member of the House of Representatives and former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dockaysworld reports.
Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, made the announcement in a social media post on Friday.
He explained that his decision followed “deep reflection and wide consultations” with political leaders and supporters across his constituency.
“It is never easy to leave a political family that has given you the platform to serve,” he wrote. “But in pursuit of our shared vision for progress, inclusion, and effective representation, I believe the time has come to take a bow.”
The lawmaker did not reveal his next political platform, but his resignation comes at a time when several PDP members have defected to either the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or to the emerging African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“I will continue consultations and engage widely as we prepare to unveil the next chapter of this journey together,” Onobun added. “I am grateful to the PDP for the opportunities it has given me, and most importantly, to the good people of my constituency for their unwavering support and trust.”
His resignation follows the defeat faced by the PDP in the 2024 Edo State governorship election. The party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, lost to the APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo, according to the results announced by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in September 2024.
Following the defeat, the PDP challenged the result at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, alleging irregularities and vote manipulation. However, both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal upheld Okpebholo’s victory. In July 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed the PDP’s final appeal for lacking merit, affirming the APC’s win.
Edo had been a PDP stronghold since the defection of former Governor Godwin Obaseki from the APC in 2020. However, since President Bola Tinubu’s election victory in 2023, the APC has made inroads into the South-South, with several states, including Edo, now slipping under its control.
