The Edo State House of Assembly has elected the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Yekini Idiaye, as its new Speaker following the resignation of Blessing Agbebaku from the position.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, was elected during Monday’s plenary shortly after Agbebaku announced his resignation.
The change in leadership came against the backdrop of reports that lawmakers were preparing to impeach Agbebaku, with 17 of the 24 members reportedly signing an impeachment notice against him on Sunday night.
However, Agbebaku maintained that he voluntarily resigned for personal reasons and not because of the reported impeachment move.
In a statement issued through his media team, the former Speaker said he had maintained a cordial relationship with his colleagues despite occasional differences during his three-year tenure.
Agbebaku said his decision was taken in the interest of peace, the state and his Owan West constituency.
He thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for his support during his tenure and reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress and Edo State.
He also urged his supporters to remain calm while congratulating Idiaye and other principal officers of the Assembly.
But speaking after his emergence, Idiaye gave a different account of what led to the leadership change.
According to him, the lawmakers had become dissatisfied with Agbebaku’s leadership, alleging poor management of the Assembly, prolonged adjournments and corruption.
Idiaye said the change was also consistent with the state’s political zoning arrangement, which rotates key offices among the three senatorial districts.
He explained that with Governor Okpebholo coming from Edo Central, the speakership was expected to move to Edo North, where he emerged as the oldest serving member from the zone.
The new Speaker said the Assembly needed leadership that would support the governor’s administration and ensure that legislative activities did not hinder the state’s development.
Following Agbebaku’s resignation, the lawmakers also resolved to suspend him to allow an investigation into allegations against him.
The Assembly said the investigation would cover allegations relating to inflating prices of Lexus 570 SUVs and Hilux vehicles purchased for official use.
The lawmakers directed Agbebaku to hand over all official documents and materials in his possession to the Clerk of the House, while political office holders attached to his former office were dissolved.
Shortly after assuming office, Idiaye and other members of the new leadership visited Governor Okpebholo at the Government House in Benin City.
The governor urged the lawmakers to make unity, humility, transparency and dialogue the foundation of the new leadership.
Okpebholo cautioned against arrogance, reminding the lawmakers that political offices were temporary and that they were elected to serve the people.
He specifically charged Idiaye to carry all members along and ensure that disagreements within the Assembly were resolved through dialogue rather than social media.
The governor said effective legislative leadership required teamwork and urged lawmakers to speak openly about their concerns instead of allowing disagreements to escalate into crises.
“I want us to have a peaceful House,” Okpebholo said, noting that the Assembly had operated without a major crisis for about two years.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the governor also urged the lawmakers to strengthen their relationship with their constituents and work towards delivering electoral success for the party.
He encouraged members who might not return to the Assembly after the election not to be discouraged, assuring them of his continued cooperation.
Responding, Idiaye said the new leadership visited the governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of the Assembly’s readiness to work with his administration.
He said the lawmakers would provide the necessary legislative support to enable the governor to deliver on his development agenda.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yakubu Musa; Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, and members of the party’s State Working Committee.
Agbebaku’s resignation was earlier confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said further details would be made public.
