The Edo State House of Assembly was on Monday rocked by a heated debate as uncertainty continues to trail the political status of some of its members who were originally elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but later defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) following a prolonged crisis in the PDP.
The tension escalated when Hon. Natasha Osawaru, member representing Egor Constituency, formally notified the House of her latest defection from the PDP to the NDC. The move immediately triggered sharp disagreements among lawmakers over whether members aligned with the NDC should continue to enjoy full legislative privileges, especially after last week’s Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the party.
Rising promptly, the Majority Leader, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, moved a motion to step down discussion on the letter. He warned the House against giving legitimacy to a party whose existence is currently in legal limbo.
“Until a higher court overturns the judgment of the Federal High Court, we should refrain from entertaining anything that has to do with the NDC in this House,” Ibhamawu argued.
His position was supported by Hon. Sunny Ojezele (Esan South-East), who called on the Assembly to respect the judicial process.
However, the Minority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian (Ovia North-East 1), who is a member of the NDC, strongly challenged the reliance on the court judgment, describing it as questionable.
Hon. Ade Isibor (Esan North-East 1) countered, stressing the constitutional provision that lawmakers must belong to a recognised political party.
“These members are only here by the magnanimity of the Speaker. Strictly speaking, they are floating members because the Constitution is clear on this matter. But they are our brothers amd we love them”, Isibor submitted.
After extensive arguments, the Speaker, ruled that further debate on the matter be suspended pending the final outcome of litigation.
However, the status quo was maintained, with Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian still recognised and addressed as Minority Leader.
Security Complicity Probe.
In another development, the House constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged vandalism and theft of a vehicle parts within the Assembly complex. The committee is expected to determine the level of complicity of security personnel, as lawmakers expressed disbelief that such an act could occur without internal collusion or awareness.
The House also stepped down consideration of the report by the Committee on Public Petitions on the compulsory retirement of a staff of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission over alleged age falsification. Discrepancies were observed between the petitioner’s age claims, the committee’s findings and the Local Government Service Commission’s claims.
Plenary was subsequently adjourned until Tuesday, June 30, 2026.