The Edo State House of Assembly has made major leadership changes following a shift in party strength within the chamber. The removal of Hon. Natasha Osawaru Irobosa from her role as Minority Leader marks one of the most talked-about outcomes of the reshuffle. I
robosa, who is affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was among several lawmakers affected by the decision.
Also removed was Charity Aiguobarueghian, who held the position of Majority Leader. Alongside her, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, another PDP member, lost his role as Chief Whip of the House.
The development follows a letter submitted to the House by Jarret Tenebe, the acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State. In the letter, Tenebe informed the Assembly that four PDP lawmakers had defected to the APC, resulting in a shift in the balance of power. With these defections, the APC gained the upper hand in the House, prompting leadership changes.
Despite these changes, Speaker Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Deputy Speaker Maria Edeko, both members of the PDP, retained their seats. Their continued leadership comes amid growing questions about the stability of PDP’s influence in the Assembly.
The Speaker officially announced the new appointments, naming Hon. Ibhamawu Jonathan Aigbokhan from APC, Esan West, as the new Majority Leader. In addition, Hon. Addeh Emakhu Isibor from APC, Esan North-East I, and Hon. Lecky Hussein Mustapha from APC, Etsako West I, were selected as Deputy Leader and Chief Whip, respectively.
Agbebaku noted that the PDP is expected to submit a fresh list of nominees for remaining principal positions in the House. He also pointed out that his position, as well as that of the Deputy Speaker, may be reconsidered depending on the political direction of the House moving forward.
“The PDP leadership in the state would also bring its list of nominees of principal officers to the House,” he said.
