A leadership shift is unfolding in the Edo State House of Assembly as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially informed the House of its new majority status.
On
Tuesday, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku confirmed receiving a letter from the APC,
notifying the Assembly of its increased membership following the defection of
four lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although
the letter was not made public, it signified a major political shift in the
House. The defecting PDP lawmakers are Donald Okugbe (Akoko Edo Constituency
II), Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South Constituency II), Richard Edosa (Oredo West
Constituency), and Sunday Ojezele (Esan South East). With these defections, the
APC now has 13 members, while the PDP has 11. Additionally, the Labour Party
lost its sole representative to the APC.
The
APC’s letter, titled *“Notification of APC Majority Status in the Edo State
House of Assembly,”* formally declared the party's new majority position and
stated that it would communicate any necessary actions in due course.
Acknowledging
the development, Speaker Agbebaku remarked, “Going by this letter, it means APC
now has a majority in the House.” He also extended his best wishes to the
defected lawmakers, saying, “I want to wish the decampees well and success in
their endeavours.”
The
Speaker further indicated that he was awaiting another letter from the APC to
officially nominate its principal officers, signaling further changes in the
House’s leadership.
