By Zainab Bakare
The Edo State House of Assembly has elected Yekini Idiaye as its new Speaker following the resignation of Blessing Agbebaku amid moves by lawmakers to remove him from office.
Agbebaku’s resignation was announced on Monday by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, in a Facebook post. She, however, said further details on the development would be made available later.
Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I, is a third-term lawmaker and the oldest member from Edo North in the Assembly. His emergence is in line with the state’s zoning arrangement, which provides for the Speaker to come from Edo North when the governor is from Edo Central Senatorial District.
Speaking with journalists after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye accused the former Speaker of poor leadership and alleged corruption, while also faulting the prolonged adjournments and other challenges that characterised the Assembly under Agbebaku.
He said lawmakers were compelled to act because they believed Agbebaku’s leadership was affecting the effective functioning of government.
The new Speaker pledged to restore stability and productivity in the Assembly, promising that lawmakers would work closely with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration to advance the development of Edo State.
Meanwhile, members of the Assembly visited the Edo State Government House to brief Governor Okpebholo on the change in leadership.
Efforts to obtain Agbebaku’s reaction were unsuccessful, while his media aide had yet to issue any further statement on the resignation.
