In a dramatic political move, Natasha Osawaru Irobosa, who is married to Nigerian music icon 2Face Idibia, has reportedly been removed from her position as the Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly. The decision follows the defection of four members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), giving the APC a majority in the assembly.
Alongside Osawaru, other PDP lawmakers—Charity Aiguobarueghian (PDP, Ovia North-East I) and Yekini Idaiye (PDP, Akoko-Edo I)—were also removed from key leadership roles, with Aiguobarueghian losing her position as Majority Leader and Idaiye being replaced as Chief Whip.
The changes were announced by Speaker Blessing Agbebaku during a plenary session, citing a letter from the APC’s acting chairman, Jarret Tenebe, which confirmed the new majority status of the party.
In response to the reshuffling, the APC has appointed new leadership positions:
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Majority Leader: Hon. Ibhamawu Jonathan Aigbokhan (Esan West)
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Deputy Majority Leader: Hon. Addeh Emakhu Isibor (Esan North-East I)
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Chief Whip: Hon. Lecky Hussein Mustapha (Etsako West I)
Despite the leadership changes, Speaker Agbebaku and Deputy Speaker Maria Edeko, both from the PDP, have retained their positions. However, Agbebaku acknowledged that their tenure could be at risk as the political landscape continues to shift. The PDP leadership is expected to propose new nominees for the assembly’s principal officer roles.
