The political configuration of the Edo State House of Assembly shifted on Tuesday as three lawmakers defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effectively positioning the party as the main opposition in the legislature.
The development was contained in a letter transmitted to the House by the Edo State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Engr. Babatunde Olukoga, who formally notified the Assembly of the lawmakers’ defection and sought official recognition of their new party status.
The affected legislators are Hon. Charity Iguodala Aiguobarhueghian (Ovia North-East I), Hon. Natasha Osawaru (Egor Constituency), and Hon. Omosigho Uyi Frank (Oredo East Constituency). Their defection, if fully ratified, alters the minority composition in the House, making the NDC the leading opposition bloc.
Olukoga, in the letter, also nominated Hon. Natasha Osawaru as Minority Leader, while Hon. Omosigho Uyi Frank was nominated as Minority Whip.
However, the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, opposed immediate consideration of the request, arguing that due legislative procedure had not been followed. He maintained that the lawmakers were required to formally announce their defection on the floor of the House before any party correspondence could be acted upon.
Following deliberations, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku stepped down the letter, ruling that the matter would be revisited once due process was completed.
Meanwhile, the House confirmed the appointment of a commissioner nominee forwarded by Governor Monday Okpebholo. The nominee, Mr. Kayode Jeffrey Iriabhekha from Owan East Local Government Area, was confirmed after the presentation of a committee report by the Majority Leader.
The Assembly also received another executive communication seeking confirmation of Mr. Terry Igiebor as Chairman of the Edo State Ecological Fund and Management Commission. The Speaker referred the request to the Committee on Rules, Business and Government House for further legislative scrutiny.
In addition, Hon. Ibhamawu presented the House Business Calendar for the first quarter of the fourth session of the 8th Assembly, outlining 51 sitting days scheduled between June and August 2026.
Lawmakers also deliberated on a committee report concerning a bill to repeal existing agricultural laws and establish a new framework for the Edo State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
The report, presented by Hon. Kaycee Osadolor, recommended sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening agricultural education and research in the state.
Speaker Agbebaku congratulated members on their third anniversary in office and commended legislative staff for their service. The House subsequently adjourned plenary to Monday, June 29, 2026.
The defection, however, remains subject to formal procedural validation, leaving the final political realignment within the Assembly pending further legislative action.
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