A shift in leadership is imminent in the Edo State House of Assembly as the All Progressives Congress has formally informed the Assembly of its new majority status.

On Tuesday, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku confirmed the receipt of a letter from the APC, notifying the Assembly of the party’s increased membership following the defection of four lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Although the letter was not made public, it marked a significant political shift in the House.

The PDP lawmakers who joined the APC are Donald Okugbe (Akoko Edo Constituency II), Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South Constituency II), Richard Edosa (Oredo West Constituency), and Sunday Ojezele (Esan South East).

With this development, the APC now has 13 members, while the PDP has 11 members. The Labour Party also lost its sole representative to the APC.

The letter from the APC, titled “Notification of APC Majority Status in the Edo State House of Assembly,” formally declared that the party now holds the majority following the defections.

It also mentioned that the APC would notify the House of any consequential actions regarding this new reality at an appropriate time.

Speaker Agbebaku acknowledged the APC’s majority status, stating, “Going by this letter, it means APC now has a majority in the House.”

He expressed his well wishes to the defected lawmakers, saying, “I want to wish the decampees well, and I wish them good endeavours.”

The Speaker also indicated that he was awaiting another letter from the APC to officially nominate its principal officers, signaling further changes in the House’s leadership. (The PUNCH)