Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC–Esan West) on Monday emerged as the new majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly following the emergence of the All Progressives’ Congress as the majority party in the House.
It was earlier reported in March that the APC has duly informed the House of his new status as the party with the majority members and announced that there would soon be an announcement of House leadership as soon as possible.
As it stands the APC has total of thirteen (13) members after four members defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party and the Labour party, effectively reducing PDP to an eleven (11) seat tally.
Blessing Agbebaku, the House speaker read a communication from the APC leadership nominating principal officers during plenary on Monday.
Aigbokhan was appointed as the new 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The position of Deputy Chief Whip, initially assigned to Richard Edosa (APC-Oredo West), was withdrawn as the House does not recognise such a position. Edosa, formerly the sole LP lawmaker, recently defected to the APC.
However, the position of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker remain unchanged despite the change in majority status even as they are occupied by members of the PDP.
Speaker Agbebaku revealed that the People’s’ Democratic Party will also submit its list of principal officers in due course.
“What matters is that we all work together to ensure the success of Governor Monday Okpebholo,” Agbebaku said.
