The new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has opened up on why lawmakers forced the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, out of office.
Yekini Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, emerged as Speaker on Monday after Agbebaku resigned amid an alleged impeachment move against him.
Speaking to journalists after the Assembly’s plenary, Idiaye accused his predecessor of poor leadership, alleging that Agbebaku’s tenure was marred by corruption claims and repeated lengthy adjournments.
According to him, lawmakers became frustrated with a leadership style he claimed was slowing down the work of the Assembly and, by extension, the state government.
Idiaye said the Assembly had faced several challenges since its inauguration under Agbebaku’s leadership in June 2023, including what he described as unexplained adjournments lasting as long as 30 days.
He said the lawmakers eventually decided to change the leadership because they believed it was no longer serving the interest of the state.
Idiaye also pledged that the new leadership would work closely with Governor Monday Okpebholo and ensure that nothing was allowed to frustrate his administration.
The new Speaker’s emergence was also linked to the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, under which the Speaker’s position is expected to go to Edo North whenever the governor comes from Edo Central.
As the oldest serving lawmaker from Edo North, Idiaye was subsequently chosen to lead the 24-member Assembly.
The lawmakers later visited the Edo State Government House to formally inform Governor Okpebholo about the change in the Assembly’s leadership.
Agbebaku’s exit came after days of tension within the Assembly, with reports that lawmakers were preparing to impeach him.
He eventually resigned on Monday before the alleged impeachment process could be completed.
His media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed the resignation but said details surrounding the decision would be disclosed later.
Reports indicated that 17 out of the 24 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against Agbebaku on Sunday night, signalling that his position had become increasingly untenable.
Agbebaku could not immediately be reached for his reaction, as his telephone line was reportedly busy, while his media aide had yet to release further details on the circumstances that led to his resignation.
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