Edo Assembly gets new Speaker amid corruption allegations

Following the resignation of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, a member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Yekini Idiaye, has emerged as the new Speaker of the  House.

Agbebaku stepped down on Monday amid moves by some lawmakers to impeach him.

His resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Adodo-Ebojele.

Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, takes over from Agbebaku, who resigned amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

Speaking on the development, Idiaye, said his predecessor was removed by lawmakers over alleged poor leadership and corruption.

Addressing journalists after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye accused Agbebaku of poor leadership, alleging that his tenure was characterised by corruption and prolonged adjournments.

He said, “The House was inaugurated on the 16th of June, 2023 under the leadership of 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.”

Idiaye 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.”

Idiaye’s emergence was also said to have followed the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which provides that when the governor is from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.

Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has charged the new leadership of the Assembly to embrace humility, unity, transparency and teamwork, urging lawmakers to put aside personal differences and focus on serving the people.

The governor gave the charge when he received the newly elected Speaker, Prince Yekini Oisayemoje Idaiye.

The governor said political office was temporary and should be handled with humility and a strong sense of responsibility.

According to the governor, “We must put arrogance aside to serve our people better because today we are here and tomorrow we don’t know where we will be.”

He urged the new leadership to promote transparency, dialogue, and inclusiveness while advising lawmakers to resolve disagreements within the assembly rather than taking them to social media.

“It’s a new leadership. I don’t know what happened. Whatever must have happened in the House is for the House, and it remains there. I was also a parliamentarian, and I know that we respect one another,” he said.

Governor Okpebholo said disagreements among lawmakers should be handled internally, adding that the emergence of a new leadership presented an opportunity for members to work together.

He then urged Speaker Idaiye to understand the responsibility that comes with his office and ensure that all members of the Assembly are carried along.

“It is not just to be a leader, but a responsible leader. You are not just assuming a new office, to be just an ordinary speaker. You should know that you are now carrying the shoulders of many people and you have to be transparent with your colleagues. You have to carry everybody along,” he said.

He warned that failure to involve members in the affairs of the House could create fresh divisions.

“The only way you can have an effective leadership is for you to carry everybody along,” Okpebholo said.

Urging the new speaker to live up to the positive comments made about him by his colleagues, the governor said, “Everyone is saying good things about you. I want you to remain the way they have described you,” he said.

The governor identified teamwork as essential to effective legislative leadership and encouraged lawmakers to raise their concerns through dialogue.

“Teamwork is the bedrock of effective leadership. And for you to make progress, you need to believe in yourselves. When you have anything in mind, always voice it out either in private with the Speaker or in the open. Dialogue is always the key,” he said.

Okpebholo said he wanted the Assembly to remain peaceful, noting that the House had operated without a major crisis for about two years.

“I want us to have a peaceful house. For about two years, there have never been crises in the House. And I pray that in another two years, there will be no crises in the House,” he said.

With elections approaching, the governor urged the lawmakers to strengthen their presence in their constituencies and work towards electoral success.

“I pray that you people will take charge of your constituencies. Elections are coming. We have to work hard to see that we record success,” he said.

He also encouraged lawmakers who might not return to the assembly after the elections to remain optimistic, assuring them of continued cooperation.

“Those of you that are not coming back, don’t worry, we will work together. Sometimes, every disappointment is another appointment that can lead you to somewhere higher or greater,” Okpebholo said.

The new Speaker Idaiye said the new legislative leadership visited the governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of the Assembly’s support for his administration.

“Your Excellency, we are here this afternoon to formally introduce the new leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly to you and to inform you that with this new leadership, we are ready to stabilise the House,” the Speaker said.

Idaiye assured the governor that the assembly would provide the support needed to advance the state.

“And to ensure that we give you the maximum support because we are all proud of you. You are doing well. The only way you can continue to do well is to have the support of the House. We are there for you. Whatever you want us to do to move Edo forward, we are ready for it,” he said.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yakubu Musa; Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe; and members of the party’s State Working Committee.