Edo Assembly Gets New Speaker As Agbebaku Resigns
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from his position.
Agbebaku stepped down on Monday amid moves by some lawmakers to impeach him.
His resignation was confirmed on Facebook by his media aide, Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, who said further details on the circumstances surrounding his exit would be made public later.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS,” she wrote.
The development has thrown the Edo State House of Assembly into a fresh leadership crisis, with lawmakers expected to determine a new Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has elected Yekini Idiaye, the lawmaker representing Akoko Edo Constituency I, as its speaker.
Idiaye’s emergence followed the resignation of the former speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, which was formally acknowledged by the House 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. 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.
