The Edo State House of Assembly has changed its leadership after Blessing Agbebaku resigned as Speaker amid moves by lawmakers to remove him from office.
Yekini Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I, subsequently emerged as the new Speaker of the Assembly.
Explaining the development, Idiaye said lawmakers had become dissatisfied with what he described as poor leadership under Agbebaku, including repeated adjournments and alleged corruption.
He said the Assembly had experienced prolonged periods without effective legislative activity, with sittings sometimes being adjourned for weeks.
According to Idiaye, the lawmakers believed the situation was affecting the work of the state government and that a change in leadership was necessary.
He also said the lawmakers wanted the Assembly to provide stronger support for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration and its development programmes.
Agbebaku, however, gave a different explanation for his departure. He said he resigned for personal reasons and in the interest of peace, Edo State and his constituency.
His resignation came after reports of moves within the Assembly to impeach him. Reports indicated that a significant number of lawmakers had backed the move before he stepped down.
Following his resignation, Idiaye was elected Speaker, bringing a new leadership structure to the House.
The change was followed by a meeting between Idiaye and Governor Okpebholo at the Edo State Government House in Benin City.
The governor urged the new Speaker and other lawmakers to put aside personal differences and concentrate on their responsibilities to the people of Edo State.
Okpebholo stressed the need for unity, transparency, humility and teamwork in the Assembly. He also urged the new Speaker to carry all lawmakers along in the affairs of the House.
The governor warned that excluding members from decision-making could create fresh divisions within the legislature.
Responding, Idiaye said the new leadership had visited the governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of the Assembly’s cooperation.
He pledged that the legislature would provide the support and necessary laws required to advance the development of Edo State.
The leadership change now leaves the new Speaker with the task of stabilising the Assembly following the dispute that led to Agbebaku’s resignation and restoring confidence among lawmakers while maintaining the House’s legislative responsibilities.
