Yekini Idiaye Elected As New Edo Assembly Speaker, Accuses Agbebaku Of Corruption

Yekini Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I, has been elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

Idiaye became the new Speaker after Blessing Agbebaku resigned from the position on Monday amid reports of an impeachment move by some lawmakers.

The emergence of the new Speaker, who is from Edo North Senatorial District, was reportedly influenced by an existing zoning arrangement in the state.

Under the arrangement, the speakership is expected to go to Edo North because Governor Monday Okpebholo is from Edo Central.

Speaking to journalists after leading the assembly’s plenary session on Monday, Yekini Idiaye criticized the leadership of his predecessor and accused the former Speaker of poor management.

He said the assembly had faced several problems since it was inaugurated in June 2023 under Agbebaku, including allegations of corruption and repeated delays in legislative activities.

“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,” Idiaye said.

“We are not happy with his leadership style. His leadership is poor and it has been drawing the work of the government backward.

“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.”

At the time of filing this report, the Edo House of Assembly had not released an official statement on the change in leadership.

Members of the assembly were also reportedly at the Edo State Government House for a meeting with Governor Okpebholo.

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