The new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has given reasons for the removal of his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku, from office.
Idiaye cited alleged poor leadership, corruption and frequent adjournment of plenary sessions as some of the reasons behind the lawmakers’ decision to effect a leadership change.
The lawmaker, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I and is serving his third term, emerged as Speaker on Monday after Agbebaku resigned amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Speaking to journalists after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye said the Assembly had encountered several challenges under Agbebaku’s leadership, accusing the former Speaker of running the House poorly and disrupting legislative activities.
He said, “The House was inaugurated on the 16th of June, 2023 under the leadership of Agbebaku, and since then we have been passing through a lot of challenges, corruption here and there, adjournment here and there, sometimes for 30 days without a cause. We are not happy with his leadership style. His leadership is poor, and it has been drawing the work of the government backwards.”
Idiaye added that the lawmakers resolved to change the leadership of the Assembly in order to reposition it and ensure greater support for the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He added, “That is why we removed him. We must encourage our performing governor. He is doing well, anything that will derail or stop our performing governor, we must stop it. That is why we changed him. I can assure all of you that we will do everything possible to support Governor Monday Okpebholo to move this state forward.”
Idiaye’s emergence as Speaker also followed the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which provides that when the governor comes from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.
As the oldest member from Edo North, Idiaye was later elected Speaker.
It was gathered that members of the Assembly visited the Government House to inform Governor Okpebholo about the change in leadership.
Agbebaku was said to have resigned earlier on Monday after lawmakers began moves to impeach him.
It was also gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against him on Sunday night.
His resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele.
She said, “I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.”
When contacted, Agbebaku’s telephone line was busy, while Ebojele had yet to issue another statement on the circumstances surrounding his resignation.