Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Hon. Natasha Osawaru has lost her exotic position following a change in numerical strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which displaced the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the hallowed chamber.
Hon. Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC–Esan West) was thereafter elected as the new Majority Leader.
This development comes after the APC officially informed the Assembly in March of its new status, promising a leadership reshuffle.
The party now holds 13 out of 24 seats in the House, after four members defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), leaving the PDP with 11 seats.
At Monday’s plenary session in Benin City, Speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku read a communication from the APC leadership naming Hon. Addeh Isibor as Deputy Majority Leader and Hon. Mustapha Lecky as Chief Whip, alongside Aigbokhan’s new role as Majority Leader.
A planned appointment of Hon. Richard Edosa (APC–Oredo West) as Deputy Chief Whip was withdrawn, as the Assembly does not officially recognize the position.
Edosa had recently switched allegiance from the LP to the APC.
Despite the APC gaining the majority, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly remain members of the PDP, highlighting a unique leadership dynamic in the House.
Speaker Agbebaku noted that the PDP is expected to submit its list of new principal officers soon and emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation across party lines.
“Our focus must remain on working together for the progress of Edo State and supporting the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo,” Agbebaku said.
Truth Live News Media reports that Hon. Natasha Osawaru is the new found lovebird of the Nigerian legendary singer, Innocent Idibia aka 2Baba.