The Edo State House of Assembly has elected Yekini Idiaye, representing Akoko-Edo I Constituency, as its new Speaker following the resignation of Blessing Agbebaku.
Idiaye emerged as Speaker on Monday after the Deputy Speaker, Osamwonyi Atu, temporarily took over proceedings and presided over the plenary session.
The leadership change came shortly after Agbebaku resigned from office amid reported moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Idiaye is currently the longest-serving member of the Edo State House of Assembly from Edo North, having been a member of the legislature since 2019.
Why Agbebaku Resigned
Agbebaku reportedly resigned after discovering that about 18 of the 22 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against him.
According to reports, many of the lawmakers involved had allegedly lost their return tickets to the Assembly, although the specific reasons for their opposition to the former Speaker were not immediately made public.
Agbebaku’s resignation brought an end to the immediate impeachment process and paved the way for the Assembly to elect a new presiding officer.
With Idiaye now occupying the Speaker’s seat, attention will turn to how the new leadership manages the political divisions within the House and maintains the stability of the Edo legislature.
The development marks another major leadership change in the Edo State House of Assembly and comes amid heightened political activity within the state.
Source: Edo State House of Assembly / reports from Benin City.
