A member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Yekini Idiaye, has emerged as the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker from the Edo North Senatorial District, succeeds Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned as Speaker on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
The emergence of Idiaye was reportedly influenced by the zoning arrangement in the Assembly, which provides that when the governor is from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.
Governor Monday Okpebholo is from Edo Central, making the Edo North zone eligible for the speakership under the arrangement.
Idiaye, being the oldest member representing the Edo North Senatorial District in the Assembly, was subsequently elected Speaker.
Speaking on the development, Idiaye reportedly said that without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku.
Members of the Assembly were also said to have visited the Edo State Government House to inform Governor Okpebholo of the change in the leadership of the legislature.
The development followed Agbebaku’s resignation on Monday amid alleged moves by lawmakers to remove him from office.
PUNCH Online gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers in the Assembly had signed a notice of impeachment against Agbebaku on Sunday night.
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The move reportedly increased pressure on the former Speaker and may have prompted his decision to resign.
Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said further details would be made public later.
“I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later,” Ebojele said.
When contacted regarding his resignation and the subsequent change in leadership, Agbebaku’s telephone line was reportedly busy, while his media aide had yet to issue another statement.
Idiaye’s emergence now places the Edo North lawmaker at the helm of the state legislature as the Assembly begins a new phase following the abrupt resignation of his predecessor.
The leadership change also comes against the backdrop of political negotiations within the Assembly and the continued importance of zoning arrangements in determining the distribution of key political offices in Edo State.