The Edo State House of Assembly has announced a shake-up in its leadership, removing Hon. Natasha Osawaru Irobosa of the Peoples Democratic Party from her position as Minority Leader.
Irobosa was removed alongside Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, who held the post of Majority Leader, and Hon. Yekini Idaiye, also of the PDP, who served as Chief Whip of the House.
Despite the changes, the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and his deputy, Hon. Maria Edeko — both members of the PDP — retained their respective positions.
The development followed a letter sent to the Assembly by the Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Jarret Tenebe, informing the legislature of the PDP’s loss of majority status due to the defection of four of its lawmakers to the APC.
Announcing the changes on the floor of the House, Speaker Agbebaku stated that the PDP lawmakers removed from leadership positions were replaced by Hon. Ibhamawu Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC, Esan West) as Majority Leader, Hon. Addeh Emakhu Isibor (APC, Esan North-East I) as Deputy Leader, and Hon. Lecky Hussein Mustapha (APC, Etsako West I) as Chief Whip.
He further disclosed that the PDP leadership in the state is expected to submit a new list of its nominees for the remaining principal officer positions.
Agbebaku noted that despite the changes, the current positions of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker remain unaffected.
He clarified, “My position as the Speaker and that of the Deputy Speaker are not certain in the leadership change of the House.”
