The Edo State House of Assembly has replaced Hon. Natasha Osawaru Irobosa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Minority Leader.
Her removal comes alongside that of Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, who previously served as Majority Leader. However, PDP members Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Hon. Maria Edeko have retained their positions as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.
Additionally, Hon. Yekini Idaiye of the PDP has been removed as Chief Whip.
These leadership changes were triggered by a letter from the acting chairman of the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe. The shake-up follows the defection of four PDP lawmakers to the APC, which cost the PDP its majority in the House.
The Speaker announced new appointments to key positions:
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Majority Leader – Hon. Ibhamawu Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC, Esan West)
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Deputy Leader – Hon. Addeh Emakhu Isibor (APC, Esan North-East I)
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Chief Whip – Hon. Lecky Hussein Mustapha (APC, Etsako West I)
The Speaker also stated that the PDP leadership in the state is expected to submit a list of nominees for principal officer positions in the House.
Notably, Speaker Agbebaku acknowledged that his own position, as well as that of the Deputy Speaker, could still be affected by the ongoing leadership changes.
