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From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from office, throwing the state legislature into fresh political uncertainty.
Agbebaku reportedly tendered his resignation early Monday morning after receiving information that 18 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice seeking his impeachment as of Sunday night.
A two-thirds majority, equivalent to 16 lawmakers, is required to remove the Speaker from office.
Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said further details surrounding the development would be made public later.
Following his exit, Yekini Idiaye, the lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I and a three-term member of the Assembly, emerged as the new Speaker.
Ordinarily, the Deputy Speaker would assume the position following the resignation or impeachment of the Speaker.
However, the Assembly reportedly relied on the state’s zoning arrangement in selecting Idiaye.
Under the arrangement, when the governor emerges from the Central Senatorial District, the Speakership is expected to go to the Edo North Senatorial District.
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Idiaye, being the most senior lawmaker from the zone, was subsequently chosen to lead the Assembly.
Addressing journalists shortly after plenary, the new Speaker accused the former Speaker of corruption and not carrying out his speakership job as expected.
Yekini said: “The House was inaugurated on the 16th of June, 2023 under the leadership of the former Speaker, Hon Blessing 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.
“We are not happy with his leadership style. His leadership is poor, and it has been drawing the work of the government backwards.”
He claimed Agbebaku was removed by the members. Yekini added: “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. I can assure all of you that we will do everything possible to support Governor Monday Okpebholo to move this state forward.”
At the time of filing this report, all members of the House had emerged from the Assembly complex, boarded waiting vehicles and driven off, reportedly heading to the Government House.
