Pandemonium erupted in the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday as lawmakers clashed over the nomination of a new Minority Whip by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, had read a letter from the state PDP leadership nominating Ojie Eugene Inegbeboh, representing Igueben constituency, for the position of Minority Whip. The nomination came in response to the recent defection of Yekini Idaiye, who represents Akoko-Edo I, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week.

According to the Speaker, the letter was signed by the state caretaker committee chairman of PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi. "A letter has just been received from the PDP, dated May 13, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker, titled, 'Re: Nomination for Principal Officer,'" Agbebaku stated.

"In the above subject matter after due consultations, Ojie Eugene Inegbeboh, representing Igueben has been nominated to fill the position of the Minority Whip," he added.

However, the nomination sparked immediate controversy when Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Addeh Isibor Emakhu, representing Esan North I, challenged the legitimacy of Dr. Aziegbemi's authority to make such nominations.

"I just want to say that this house as a law-making body cannot by any stretch of the imagination seem to be doing anything contrary to the subsisting orders of the court," Emakhu argued. "The position as at today is that Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi is not the caretaker committee chairman of PDP in Edo state. Therefore, Dr. Aziegbemi cannot bring to this House a list of anyone to be a presiding officer."

Emakhu further claimed that the South-South zonal Vice Chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, was the court-recognized leader, suggesting the nomination was illegitimate.

The comments triggered chaos in the chamber as PDP members rose to condemn Emakhu's statements. The Minority Leader of the House, Charity Airobarueghian Ighodalo, representing Ovia North-East I, accused the Deputy Majority Leader of spreading misinformation.

"Mr. Speaker, you heard the lawmaker dishing out misinformation. Sir, we are not playing here. Misinformation is an offense," Ighodalo protested.

It took Speaker Agbebaku several minutes to restore order in the chamber. He threatened to adjourn the day's plenary if the rowdiness continued.

"Did you want to decide who is who in PDP? We are both in APC and it is the PDP business. Anyone that is aggrieved with the nomination should go to court," the Speaker stated firmly. "This matter has been laid to rest and the list has been read. We are one here, and no party in the House. I have no business with the affairs of PDP because I am in APC."

The incident highlights the ongoing internal divisions within the PDP in Edo State, which appear to be spilling over into the state's legislative proceedings. The Speaker eventually managed to calm tensions, but the dispute over the legitimacy of Inegbeboh's nomination remains unresolved.