Breaking: Edo Assembly gets new Speaker
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineThe Edo State House of Assembly has elected Yekini Idiaye, member representing Akoko Edo Constituency I, as its new Speaker.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, takes over from Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned as Speaker on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
His emergence was said to have been influenced by the gentleman’s zoning arrangement in the Assembly, which provides that when the governor is from the Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.
Idiaye, being the oldest member from the Edo North Senatorial District, was subsequently elected Speaker during Monday’s plenary.
The sitting, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Osamwonye Atu, witnessed a mild drama over the position of the member representing Owan West Constituency.
The situation, however, was quickly brought under control.
At the commencement of the proceedings, Atu announced the receipt of Agbebaku’s resignation letter.
Following the announcement, the member representing the Esan South East Constituency, Sunday Ojiezele nominated Idiaye for the position of Speaker.
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The nomination was seconded by the member representing Owan East Constituency, Eric Okaka.
The Clerk of the House subsequently administered the oath of office on Idiaye, who thereafter assumed the leadership of the House.
The House also considered a letter from the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking changes in the leadership of the majority caucus.
The letter nominated Ojiezele, representing the Esan South East Constituency, as Majority Leader, while Ojie Inegbebor, representing the Igueben Constituency, was nominated as Deputy Majority Leader.
The lawmakers also approved a letter from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), nominating Natasha Osawaru as the new Minority Leader of the House.
The nomination of Osawaru had reportedly been pending before the latest leadership changes.
The developments have effectively ushered in a new leadership structure in the Edo State House of Assembly, with Idiaye now presiding over the eighth Assembly.
Addressing journalists shortly after plenary, the new Speaker accused the former Speaker of corruption, and not carrying out his speakership job as expected.
Idiaye said: “The House was inaugurated on the 16th of June, 2023 under the leadership of the formal 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 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.
“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,” he added.
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