Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has said former Speaker Blessing Agbebaku was removed over allegations of poor leadership and corruption.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, emerged as Speaker on Monday following Agbebaku’s resignation amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Addressing journalists after plenary, Idiaye alleged that the Assembly experienced leadership challenges under Agbebaku’s tenure, including frequent and lengthy adjournments.
“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,” he said.
Explaining the decision to replace the former Speaker, Idiaye 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.”
His emergence followed Agbebaku’s resignation earlier on Monday as pressure mounted from lawmakers seeking his removal.
Sources in the Assembly said 17 of the 24 lawmakers signed an impeachment notice against the former Speaker on Sunday night.
Idiaye’s election was also linked to the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which provides that the speakership should be occupied by a lawmaker from Edo North Senatorial District when the governor is from Edo Central.
Following his election, members of the Assembly were reported to have visited Government House to formally notify Governor Monday Okpebholo of the leadership change.
Agbebaku’s resignation was earlier confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said details surrounding the development would be made public later.
