The Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday appointed Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC–Esan West), as the new Majority Leader, following the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerging as the majority party in the House.
This development comes after the APC formally informed the Assembly in March of its new majority status and indicated that changes in the House leadership would be made accordingly.
With the defection of four lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) to the APC, the APC now holds 13 seats, while the PDP has 11.
During Monday’s plenary session in Benin, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku read a letter from the APC leadership nominating new principal officers.
According to the letter, Aigbokhan has been appointed Majority Leader, Addeh Isibor as Deputy Majority Leader, and Mustapha Lecky as Chief Whip.
The position of Deputy Chief Whip, initially assigned to Richard Edosa (APC–Oredo West), has been withdrawn, as the House does not recognize such a role.
Edosa, who was previously the only LP lawmaker, defected to the APC.
Notably, the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker remain held by members of the minority PDP.
Following the leadership changes, Speaker Agbebaku announced that the PDP would also submit its list of principal officers.
He stressed that despite the shift in majority and minority status, the focus should remain on the collective responsibility of the House to serve the state.
“What matters is that we all work together to ensure the success of Governor Monday Okpebholo,” Speaker Agbebaku concluded.
NAN
