Why we removed Agbebaku – New Edo speaker
The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has explained why lawmakers moved to replace his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku, amid growing pressure for his removal.
Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I and is serving his third term in the Assembly, emerged as Speaker on Monday after Agbebaku resigned from the position as lawmakers were reportedly preparing to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
Speaking to journalists after the Assembly’s plenary, Idiaye accused the former Speaker of poor leadership and alleged that his administration was marred by corruption and frequent, prolonged adjournments.
According to Idiaye, the Assembly had experienced significant challenges since it was inaugurated on June 16, 2023, under Agbebaku’s leadership. He alleged that the House was sometimes adjourned for as long as 30 days without adequate justification.
He said the lawmakers were dissatisfied with Agbebaku’s leadership style, which he claimed had affected the effectiveness of the legislature and slowed the implementation of government programmes.
Idiaye said the decision to change the leadership was necessary to prevent anything from undermining the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He assured that the new leadership of the Assembly would work with the governor and support efforts aimed at advancing development in Edo State.
Idiaye’s emergence as Speaker also reportedly reflects the Assembly’s zoning arrangement. Under the arrangement, the Speaker’s position is expected to be occupied by a lawmaker from Edo North when the governor comes from Edo Central Senatorial District.
While Idiaye described the allegations against Agbebaku as reasons for the leadership change, the claims of corruption contained in his remarks are allegations and were not independently established in the account.
