Natasha Osawaru Edo Assembly: 2Baba’s Wife Emerges Minority Leader After Reshuffle
Natasha Osawaru, wife of Nigerian music icon Innocent “2Baba” Idibia, has emerged as the Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, following a sweeping reshuffle of the Assembly’s principal leadership positions on Monday, August 17, 2026.
Osawaru, who represents Egor Constituency, was announced as the new minority leader during a plenary session in Benin City that lasted less than 30 minutes. The leadership shake-up came after Speaker Blessing Agbebaku resigned from his position amid reported moves by some lawmakers to impeach him. He was subsequently replaced by Yekini Idaiye, representing Akoko-Edo I Constituency, as the Assembly’s new Speaker. Agbebaku, who had been elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in January 2025, thanked Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his support during his tenure and called on lawmakers to promote peace and unity going forward.
Beyond the Speaker’s exit, the reshuffle also saw Jonathan Ibhamawu, representing Esan West Constituency, removed as Majority Leader and replaced by Ojiezele Osezua Sunday, representing Esan South-East Constituency. Similarly, former Deputy Majority Leader Addeh Emankhu Isibor, representing Esan North-East 1, was replaced by Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene in that role.
Osawaru’s emergence as Minority Leader marks the latest step in her political rise, having previously served as Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly. She was elevated under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), having defected from the PDP in May 2026. Reacting to her new position in a statement shared on her Facebook page, Osawaru described the appointment as a matter of trust rather than mere title. “This new responsibility is not a title; it is a trust. Our democracy thrives on rigorous debate, accountability, and the courage to advocate for the ordinary citizen without compromise,” she said, pledging to remain committed to the development of Edo State, the growth of the NDC, and the prosperity of her Egor constituents.
Her Media and Strategic Communications Directorate, in a separate statement, described her elevation as a recognition of her standing among lawmakers and the confidence placed in her by both colleagues and constituents, noting that her tenure as Deputy Majority Leader had demonstrated that effective leadership transcends party lines.
Osawaru, born on November 14, 1994, and a graduate of Igbinedion University, first gained national attention through her relationship with 2Baba, who proposed to her in February 2025 shortly after publicly announcing his separation from his former wife, Annie Macaulay Idibia. The couple married in July 2025. Her latest political milestone comes even as reports continue to circulate about strain in her marriage to the singer, though neither Osawaru nor 2Baba has issued any official statement addressing those reports. As of the time of filing, her focus has remained squarely on her new legislative role, with her office signalling her intention to prioritise oversight and advocacy for ordinary citizens in her new capacity.
About the Author
