The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has accused his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku, of alleged corruption and poor leadership, saying lawmakers moved against him because his leadership style was undermining the work of the Assembly and the state government.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, emerged Speaker on Monday following Agbebaku’s resignation amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Although Agbebaku formally tendered his resignation, Idiaye, while addressing journalists after Monday’s plenary, described the development as a removal by members of the House over dissatisfaction with his leadership.
He alleged that Agbebaku’s tenure was characterised by corruption, repeated and prolonged adjournments and a leadership style that had negatively affected legislative business.
“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,” Idiaye said.
“We are not happy with his leadership style. His leadership is poor, and it has been drawing the work of the government backwards.”
The new Speaker said the dissatisfaction ultimately prompted lawmakers to change the leadership of the Assembly.
“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,” he said.
Idiaye pledged that the Assembly under his leadership would work with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration in advancing the development of Edo State.
“I can assure all of you that we will do everything possible to support Governor Monday Okpebholo to move this state forward,” he added.
Agbebaku had resigned earlier on Monday as pressure mounted over an alleged plan by lawmakers to impeach him.
Reports indicated that 17 of the 24 members of the House had signed an impeachment notice against him on Sunday night before his eventual resignation.
His media aide, Ivy Ebojele, subsequently confirmed the resignation.
“I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later,” she said.
Agbebaku had served as Speaker of the eighth Edo State House of Assembly since its inauguration in June 2023.
Following receipt of his resignation letter during Monday’s plenary, the Deputy Speaker, Osamwonye Atu, presided over proceedings for the election of a successor.
Sunday Ojiezele, representing Esan South East Constituency, nominated Idiaye for the speakership, while the nomination was seconded by Eric Okaka, representing Owan East Constituency.
The Clerk of the House subsequently administered the oath of office on Idiaye, after which he assumed leadership of the Assembly.
Idiaye’s emergence was also linked to an existing zoning understanding within the Assembly under which the speakership is expected to go to Edo North when the governor comes from Edo Central Senatorial District.
Governor Okpebholo is from Edo Central, while Idiaye represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I in Edo North.
Idiaye said that under the zoning arrangement, the position should remain in Edo North rather than automatically pass to the Deputy Speaker.
Members of the Assembly subsequently proceeded to Government House to formally inform Governor Okpebholo of the leadership change.
The allegations of corruption and poor leadership against Agbebaku were made by Idiaye and have not, at the time of reporting, been established by a court or an independent investigative body.
