The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has stated that his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku, was removed by members for alleged poor leadership and corruption.
Idiaye, a third-term member from Akoko-Edo Constituency I, took over as Speaker on Monday after Agbebaku resigned amid impeachment efforts.
Addressing journalists during Monday’s plenary, Idiaye accused Agbebaku of bad leadership, claiming that his tenure was marked by corruption and lengthy adjournments.
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, and 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 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.
“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 rise was partly attributed to the Assembly’s zoning scheme, which states that when the governor is from the Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should be from Edo North.
Idiaye, the eldest member from Edo North, was eventually chosen speaker.
It was gathered that members of the Assembly were at the Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo about the change in leadership.
Agbebaku was said to have resigned earlier on Monday following alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
It was gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against him on Sunday night.
The resignation of the former speaker was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele.
She said, “I can confirm the speaker’s resignation, but details will be made public later.”
