The Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Maria Oligbi-Edeko (PDP – Esan North East II), has formally resigned from her position following the Peoples Democratic Party’s transition to minority status in the Assembly.
Oligbi-Edeko, who was elected Deputy Speaker of the 8th Assembly on June 16, 2023, said her resignation was driven by a commitment to justice, fairness, and equitable representation for all constituencies.
Her resignation was acknowledged during plenary on Monday through a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC – Esan West), and seconded by Hon. Charity Airobarueghian (PDP – Ovia North East I). The House unanimously approved the release of all entitlements due to the outgoing Deputy Speaker.
Following the development, Hon. Osamwonyi Atu (APC – Orhionmwon East) was unanimously elected by members of the Assembly to replace Oligbi-Edeko as Deputy Speaker.
The leadership shift comes shortly after the defection of Speaker Blessing Agbebaku and two other lawmakers—Sunny Ifada (Esan Central) and Yekini Idaiye (Akoko Edo I)—from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further tilting the Assembly’s balance of power.
