Ripples in Edo Assembly as Yekini Idiaye Emerges New Speaker

From Ebohon Joan

Edo State House of Assembly has a new Speaker, with Yekini Idiaye taking over following the resignation of Blessing Agbebaku amid reported moves to impeach him.

The member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I and a third-term lawmaker, Idiaye, emerged Speaker on Monday after Agbebaku resigned from the position.

Agbebaku’s resignation came against the backdrop of reported moves by lawmakers to remove him from office, with reports indicating that as many as 17 of the Assembly’s 24 members had signed an impeachment notice on Sunday night.

His resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, in a Facebook post announcing: “EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS.” She added that further details on the circumstances surrounding his resignation would be made public.

Addressing journalists shortly after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye offered a blunt assessment of the circumstances that led to the leadership change, accusing his predecessor of corruption and failing to perform his responsibilities as expected.

The new Speaker, however, said his emergence was not simply a product of the political crisis that preceded Agbebaku’s exit, but also reflected an established zoning understanding within the Assembly.

According to Idiaye, a gentleman’s agreement provides that whenever the governor comes from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should emerge from Edo North.

As the oldest serving lawmaker from Edo North, Idiaye was subsequently chosen to lead the House.

He explained that without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have been expected to automatically succeed Agbebaku.

The leadership change has already triggered political consultations, with members of the Assembly reportedly visiting the Edo State Government House to brief Governor Monday Okpebholo on the development.

Idiaye’s emergence marks a dramatic turn in the Edo Assembly, coming just months into the current political administration and following mounting internal tensions over the leadership of the legislature.

With Agbebaku out and Idiaye now at the helm, attention is expected to shift to whether the new leadership can restore stability within the House and reset relations among lawmakers and between the legislature and the executive.