Why we removed Agbebaku - New Edo speaker

Blessing Agbebaku has been removed as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, with the newly elected Speaker, Yekini Idiaye, citing allegations of poor leadership and corruption as the reasons for his predecessor's ouster.

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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, a third-term lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, emerged as the new Speaker on Monday following Agbebaku's resignation. Addressing journalists after the plenary, Idiaye accused Agbebaku of presiding over a tenure characterized by corruption and excessive adjournments. "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 stated.

The decision to remove Agbebaku followed alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him. PUNCH Online gathered that 17 of the 24 members of the Assembly had signed an impeachment notice against him on Sunday night. Agbebaku's media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed his resignation, stating that further details would be released later.

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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 election as Speaker also aligns with the Assembly's zoning arrangement, which stipulates that when the governor is from the Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North. Idiaye, being the oldest member from Edo North, was subsequently elected. He assured that the new leadership would work to support Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration and advance the state's progress.

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I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.