BREAKING: Yekini Idiaye emerges new Edo Assembly Speaker after Agbebaku’s resignation

Yekini Idiaye, the lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, has emerged as the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

Idiaye, a third-term member of the Assembly, succeeds Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned as Speaker on Monday amid reported moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

The new Speaker’s emergence was reportedly influenced by the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which stipulates that when the governor is from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.

Idiaye, being the longest-serving member from Edo North in the Assembly, was subsequently elected to preside over the House.

Speaking after his emergence, Idiaye reportedly said that without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku.

The development comes amid heightened political tension within the Assembly following Agbebaku’s resignation.

Sources said members of the House had visited the Edo State Government House to formally inform Governor Monday Okpebholo of the change in leadership.

Agbebaku was said to have resigned early Monday following alleged moves by lawmakers to remove hm from office.

It was gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment against the former Speaker on Sunday night, a development believed to have triggered his decision to step down. 

Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele.

“I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later,” Ebojele said.

Attempts to reach Agbebaku for further comments were unsuccessful as his telephone line was busy at the time of filing this report.

Ebojele had yet to issue a further statement providing details on the circumstances surrounding the resignation.

The emergence of Idiaye is expected to bring a new phase of leadership to the Edo State House of Assembly as lawmakers settle into the latest change at the top of the legislative arm of government.