“Why We Removed Edo Assembly Speaker” — Newly Elected Speaker Reveals Why Agbebaku Was Removed

The Edo State House of Assembly has a new Speaker following the resignation of Blessing Agbebaku amid an alleged impeachment attempt by lawmakers.

Yekini Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, was elected to replace Agbebaku during Monday’s plenary.

After assuming office, Idiaye gave insight into the events that led to the leadership change, accusing his predecessor of failing to provide effective leadership.

Idiaye speaks on Agbebaku’s removal

According to the new Speaker, lawmakers had become unhappy with the way the Assembly was being managed under Agbebaku.

He alleged that the former Speaker’s tenure was affected by corruption and repeated adjournments, which he said slowed down 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 said the lawmakers eventually decided to change the leadership because they wanted the Assembly to work more effectively with the state government.

“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,” he said.

Why Idiaye became Speaker

The new Speaker’s emergence reportedly followed the Assembly’s zoning arrangement.

The arrangement provides that when the governor is from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.

Idiaye, described as the oldest member representing Edo North in the Assembly, was therefore elected to occupy the position.

Following his emergence, lawmakers reportedly visited the Edo State Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo about the change in leadership.

Agbebaku resigns

Agbebaku’s resignation came on Monday amid reports that lawmakers were preparing to impeach him.

Seventeen of the 24 lawmakers were reportedly said to have signed an impeachment notice against him on Sunday night.

His media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed his resignation but said more details would be provided later.

She said, “I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.”

Attempts to reach Agbebaku for his reaction were unsuccessful, as his telephone line was busy.

Ebojele had also not issued a further statement explaining the circumstances surrounding his resignation.