Edo Assembly Speaker Resigns Amid Impeachment Moves

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from office amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

Agbebaku’s resignation was announced on Monday by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said details surrounding his exit would be made public later.

Following his resignation, the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Yekini Idiaye, emerged as the new Speaker.

Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker and the oldest member from Edo North, was elected in line with the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which provides that when the governor comes from Edo Central, the Speaker should emerge from Edo North.

Addressing journalists after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye accused the former Speaker of poor leadership and alleged corruption.

He claimed that the Assembly had suffered prolonged adjournments and other challenges under Agbebaku’s leadership, which he said affected the operations of government.

Idiaye said lawmakers had removed Agbebaku and pledged to work with Governor Monday Okpebholo to move the state forward.

Meanwhile, members of the Assembly were at the Edo State Government House to formally inform the governor of the change in leadership.

Efforts to reach Agbebaku for his reaction were unsuccessful, as his telephone line was busy, while his media aide had yet to issue a further statement on the circumstances surrounding his resignation.