Defection: APC notifies Edo assembly of party’s majority status

Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially written to the state’s House of Assembly, notifying it of its new majority status.

The letter was read on Tuesday by the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, during the plenary on Tuesday in Benin.

The letter, personally addressed to the Speaker, was titled: ‘Notification of APC majority status in the Edo State House of Assembly.’

In part, the letter stated: “We write to inform you that APC has achieved majority status in the House following the defection of several members from the PDP and LP.

“Hon. Bright Iyamu of Orhionmwon II, Hon. Richard Edosa of Oredo West, Hon. Chief Sunday Ojiezele of Esan South East and Hon. Roland Okogbe from Akoko-Edo are now APC members.

“At the appropriate time, we will notify your office of the consequential effects resulting from this change in the House,” the letter said.

Agbebaku confirmed that the letter was received from the APC secretariat, clarifying that APC now holds the majority in the assembly.

Agbebaku wished the defectors well in their political journeys, adding that he would await another letter from APC regarding the nomination of principal officers.

“Distinguished members, as you heard, the letter confirms APC now holds the majority in the House. We await further letter of nomination of their principal officers,” he said

The four defecting lawmakers joined APC from various parties, including PDP and Labor Party, bringing the number of APC lawmakers to 13 while PDP now has 11.