The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State on Monday assumed leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly, with Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC–Esan West) appointed as the new Majority Leader.
At the plenary session, Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, read a letter from the APC leadership announcing the appointment of new principal officers. The letter named Aigbokhan as Majority Leader, Addeh Isibor as Deputy Majority Leader, and Mustapha Lucky as Chief Whip.
The development follows a prior notification by the APC to the Assembly, affirming its new majority status and foreshadowing changes in the House leadership.
The APC now controls 13 seats, following the defection of four lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, which reduced the PDP’s representation to 11 seats.
Meanwhile, the position of Deputy Chief Whip, formerly held by Richard Edosa (APC–Oredo West), has been scrapped, as it is not an officially recognised role within the House. Edosa, the lone former Labour Party member, recently joined the APC.
Reacting to the leadership changes, Speaker Agbebaku noted that the PDP would also present its list of principal officers. He urged unity among lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation.
“What matters is that we all work together to ensure the success of Governor Monday Okpebholo,” Agbebaku said.
In a related development, Edo State APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, issued an ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding immediate by-elections to fill two vacant federal legislative seats in the state.
In a statement issued in Benin on Monday, Tenebe criticised the continued delay, describing it as a violation of democratic principles.
“The people of Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia North East/South West Federal Constituency have been without proper representation for three months now,” Tenebe stated. “This is against the spirit and letter of our constitution and democratic norms.”
The vacancies arose after Monday Okpebholo resigned from the Edo Central Senatorial seat to contest and win the governorship election, and Dennis Idahosa vacated his seat as representative of Ovia North East/South West Federal Constituency to become deputy governor.
Tenebe called on INEC to conduct the by-elections without further delay or transfer the responsibility to the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission if it lacked the resources.
“If INEC is financially incapacitated or lacks the will to conduct these elections, then it should cede the responsibility to the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission,” Tenebe said. “The people cannot continue to be denied their right to representation.”
He warned that further delay not only disenfranchised the people but also cast doubt on the credibility of the democratic system.
“This inaction sends the wrong message. It undermines the very essence of democracy, which thrives on representation and participation,” he added.
