The Nigeria Democratic Congress is poised to emerge as the leading opposition party in the Edo State House of Assembly following the defection of three lawmakers.
The development involved members elected on the platforms of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
Edo NDC Chairman, Babatunde Olukoga, formally informed the Assembly of the lawmakers’ decision to join the party.
In a letter addressed to Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, Olukoga requested official recognition of the lawmakers’ new political affiliation.
The affected legislators are Charity Aiguobarhueghian, representing Ovia North-East I Constituency, Natasha Osawaru of Egor Constituency, and Omosigho Frank of Oredo East Constituency.
The party also proposed a new minority leadership structure within the Assembly.
According to the letter, Osawaru was nominated for the position of Minority Leader.
Omosigho was equally nominated to serve as Minority Whip.
Olukoga stated, “This is to notify the Edo State House of Assembly of the defection of three members to the NDC.”
He added, “We are also informing the House of those that have been nominated as officers of the minority in the Assembly.”
However, the Majority Leader of the House, Jonathan Ibhamawu, challenged the procedure adopted by the party.
Ibhamawu argued that the lawmakers should first publicly announce their defection on the Assembly floor before any communication from their new party.
He maintained that the required legislative process had not been followed.
Following the objection, Speaker Agbebaku declined to act on the letter immediately.
The Speaker subsequently set aside the correspondence pending compliance with the necessary procedures.
Agbebaku assured members that the Assembly would consider the requests once the appropriate process had been completed.
