The Edo House of Assembly just had a shake-up when the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Maria Oligbi-Edeko, decided to call it quits. She made the announcement during a plenary session in Benin City, the state capital, on Monday. Oligbi-Edeko represented Esan North-East II, and her resignation came after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost its majority status in the Assembly due to members defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The switch-up happened back on June 16, 2023, when Oligbi-Edeko was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the 8th Assembly.
New Deputy Speaker Elected
In light of Oligbi-Edeko’s resignation, the House wasted no time in electing a new Deputy Speaker. Mr. Osamwonyi Atu from APC Orhionmwon East was chosen for the position after all members voted unanimously. Additionally, the Majority Leader, Hon. Jonathan Aigbokhan, proposed a motion to ensure that Oligbi-Edeko receives all her entitled benefits as the former Deputy Speaker. The motion was seconded by the minority leader, Hon. Charity Airobarueghian, and was approved by all members through a voice vote.
Resignation Letter and Commendations
In her resignation letter to the House, Oligbi-Edeko stated that she was stepping down to uphold justice, fairness, and equity for all constituencies. She expressed gratitude to the leaders and members of the PDP for entrusting her with the responsibility of representing her constituency in the assembly. The lawmakers, in turn, praised her dedication and passion for public service.
(Note: I’m not entirely sure why this whole ordeal matters, but it seems like a big deal in the world of Edo politics. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like there’s more to this story than meets the eye. Oh well, let’s see where this rabbit hole leads us.)
