BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN ROSE
Edo State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Maria Oligbi-Edeko, has resigned. Her resignation followed the minority status of her party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 24-member assembly.
Mrs. Oligbi-Edeko represents Esan Northeast II Constituency.
The House elected Osamwonyi Atu may 19, the APC lawmaker representing Orhionmwon East, as the new Deputy Speaker, replacing Oligbi-Edeko, who was elected on June 16, 2023.
Oligbi-Edeko said she resigned to allow for justice, fairness and equity for the constituencies.
She thanked the leaders and members of the PDP for finding her worthy to represent her constituency.
Majority Leader Jonathan Aigbokhan, the representative of Esan West Constituency, of the APC, moved a motion that the entitlements due to the office of the Deputy Speaker be accorded Oligbi-Edeko, while the motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Charity Airobarueghian, who represents Ovia Northeast 1, and a member of the PDP.
Most of the lawmakers hailed Oligbi-Edeko for her dedication, passion for public service, and the high level of integrity she displayed as the Deputy Speaker.
In Edo State House of Assembly, in view of the recent defections, APC is now in the majority with 18 members, while PDP has six seats.
In the 2023 general election, PDP candidates won 15 seats, APC had eight, while Labour Party (LP) won just one seat, but defections have changed the majority to minority.
