By Ayo Ayodele
The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday witnessed a change of leadership as Blessing Agbebaku resigned as Speaker, paving the way for Yekini Idiaye to emerge as his successor.
Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo I Constituency, was elected Speaker shortly after Agbebaku stepped down from the position.
Before Idiaye’s emergence, the Deputy Speaker, Osamwonyi Atu, temporarily presided over plenary, during which lawmakers elected the new Speaker.
Idiaye is the longest-serving member of the House from Edo North, having been a member of the Assembly since 2019.
His emergence followed growing moves within the House to remove Agbebaku from office. According to reports, about 18 of the 22 members of the Assembly had signed an impeachment notice against the former Speaker.
Most of those who reportedly signed the notice were said to be lawmakers who had lost their return tickets to the House.
Agbebaku was said to have resigned after becoming aware of the impeachment move, bringing his tenure as Speaker to an end.
The leadership change also comes amid allegations by some lawmakers that the former Speaker’s administration was characterised by poor leadership and other challenges.
The new Speaker, in his remarks after assuming office, pledged to provide effective leadership and support the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo in its efforts to move the state forward.
Idiaye’s emergence is also in line with the political zoning arrangement in the state, which provides for the Speaker to come from Edo North when the governor is from Edo Central.
Governor Okpebholo is from Edo Central Senatorial District, while Idiaye represents Akoko-Edo in Edo North.
The development marks a significant change in the leadership of the Edo Assembly, with lawmakers now expected to work under Idiaye as the new presiding officer.