Following the resignation of Blessing Agbebaku as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Yekini Idiaye, has emerged as the new Speaker.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, takes over from Agbebaku, who resigned as Speaker on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
The emergence of Idiaye was said to have been influenced by a gentleman’s zoning arrangement in the Assembly, which provides that when the governor is from the Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.
Idiaye, being the oldest member from the Edo North Senatorial District, was subsequently elected Speaker.
Without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku, according to the new Speaker.
it was gathered that members of the Assembly were at the Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo of the change in leadership.
It was rumoured that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment on Sunday night, a development that may have prompted Agbebaku to throw in the towel.
His resignation was confirmed on Facebook by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said further details on the circumstances surrounding his exit would be made public later.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS,” she wrote.
Addressing journalists shortly after Monday’s plenary, the new Speaker accused the former Speaker of corruption and not carrying out his job as expected.
(Ripples)
