Our reporter
The political landscape of the Edo State House of Assembly may be headed for a major shake-up following the defection of three lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The development positions the NDC to emerge as the main opposition party in the Assembly, potentially altering the balance of power within the legislative chamber.
The Edo State Chairman of the NDC, Babatunde Olukoga, formally notified the House of the defections in a letter addressed to Speaker Blessing Agbebaku.
According to the letter, the lawmakers who have joined the party are Charity Aiguobarhueghian, representing Ovia North-East I Constituency; Natasha Osawaru, representing Egor Constituency; and Omosigho Frank, representing Oredo East Constituency.
Olukoga also informed the Assembly of the party’s nominations for key minority leadership positions, naming Natasha Osawaru as Minority Leader and Omosigho Frank as Minority Whip.
“This is to notify the Edo State House of Assembly of the defection of three members to the NDC. We are also informing the House of those that have been nominated as officers of the minority in the Assembly,” the letter stated.
However, the move immediately sparked procedural objections on the floor of the House.
Majority Leader Jonathan Ibhamawu argued that the letter should not be entertained because the lawmakers had not personally announced their defections before the Assembly, as required by legislative procedure.
According to him, the affected members ought to formally declare their new political affiliation before any communication from their new party could be recognised by the House.
Following the objection, Speaker Agbebaku declined to act on the letter and subsequently stepped it down.
The Speaker, however, assured members that the matter would be considered once the necessary procedures had been followed.
The development has generated fresh political interest within Edo State, as observers await the formal declaration of the lawmakers and the possible emergence of a new opposition bloc in the Assembly.
Should the defections be officially recognised, the NDC would strengthen its foothold in the state legislature and potentially reshape opposition politics ahead of future political contests in Edo State.
