The Edo State House of Assembly has removed Hon. Natasha Osawaru Irobosa, partner of Nigerian music icon 2Face Idibia, from her position as Minority Leader.
Natasha Osawaru, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was ousted along with other PDP leaders, including the Majority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, and the Chief Whip, Hon. Yekini Idaiye.
The leadership reshuffle follows the defection of four PDP lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC), tipping the Assembly’s balance in favour of the APC.
Despite the shakeup, PDP members Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Hon. Maria Edeko remain in office as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.
Announcing the new leadership, Speaker Agbebaku named Hon. Ibhamawu Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC – Esan West) as the new Majority Leader, Hon. Addeh Emakhu Isibor (APC – Esan North-East I) as Deputy Majority Leader, and Hon. Lecky Hussein Mustapha (APC – Etsako West I) as Chief Whip.
The PDP is expected to nominate replacements for the now-vacant minority leadership roles soon.
Agbebaku confirmed that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions are not affected by the recent changes.