The ongoing crisis in the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Wednesday with the replacement of the party’s Minority Whip in the Edo State House of Assembly, following the defection of the former occupant, Yekini Idiaye (Akoko-Edo I), to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his place, Eugene Inegbeboh (PDP, Igueben) was appointed as the new Minority Whip, based on a letter from the factional chairman of the party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, fueling further political tension in the Assembly.
During plenary in Benin City, the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, read the letter from Dr. Aziegbemi officially nominating Mr. Inegbeboh for the position.
The announcement sparked a legislative row, after Addeh Isibor (APC, Esan North-East I) challenged the legitimacy of the nomination, arguing that Dr. Aziegbemi’s chairmanship was being disputed in court, thus rendering the letter questionable.
His objection was swiftly countered by other lawmakers, including the Minority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, who dismissed Mr. Isibor’s claim as misleading and an attempt to interfere in PDP’s internal matters.
Speaker Agbebaku, a former PDP member who recently defected to the APC, intervened to calm the situation, maintaining that the House lacked authority to adjudicate over party leadership disputes, and urged members to allow the matter rest.
