Edo Assembly Ousts Mercy Omoigui, Alleged Tuface’s Lover, Natasha Osawaru from Minority Whip Position

The Edo State House of Assembly has announced a sweeping change in its leadership structure, removing Hon. Natasha Osawaru Irobosa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from her role as Minority Leader.

Her removal came alongside that of Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, who held the position of Majority Leader, and Hon. Yekini Idaiye, who was serving as Chief Whip—all members of the PDP.

Despite the shake-up, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Hon. Maria Edeko, also PDP members, retained their positions as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

The leadership overhaul follows a formal communication to the House from the acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Jarret Tenebe. The letter cited the recent defection of four PDP lawmakers to the APC, which shifted the balance of power and effectively ended PDP’s majority in the House.

Announcing the changes during plenary, Speaker Agbebaku stated that the new appointments include Hon. Ibhamawu Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC, Esan West) as the new 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.

The Speaker further indicated that the PDP would be submitting a revised list of its nominees for other principal positions in the House, signaling more potential changes within the Assembly’s leadership structure.

While the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker remain untouched for now, Agbebaku noted that their tenures may also come under review as the political dynamics in the House continue to evolve.