Why we removed Agbebaku – New Edo speaker

Former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku

The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has said his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku, was removed by lawmakers over alleged poor leadership and corruption.

Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I and is a third-term lawmaker, emerged as Speaker on Monday following Agbebaku’s resignation amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

Addressing journalists after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye accused Agbebaku of poor leadership, alleging that his tenure was characterised by corruption and prolonged 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, 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 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 was also said to have followed the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which provides that when the governor is from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.

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Idiaye, being the oldest member from Edo North, was subsequently elected Speaker.

PUNCH Online 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. PUNCH Online 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 was yet to issue a further statement on the circumstances surrounding his resignation.