Drama unfolded at the Edo State House of Assembly on Monday as Speaker Blessing Agbebaku resigned from office amid an impeachment storm, paving the way for Hon. Yekini Idiaye to emerge as the new Speaker.
The development came after weeks of tension and reported disagreements within the Eighth Assembly, which escalated last week when Agbebaku suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers.
The resignation was announced during plenary by Deputy Speaker Osamwonye Atu, who read Agbebaku’s resignation letter before lawmakers.
With the Speaker’s seat vacant, the House moved swiftly to elect a successor. Hon. Sunday Ojiezele of Esan South East nominated Yekini Idiaye, who represents Akoko Edo Constituency I, for the position. The nomination was seconded by Eric Okaka of Owan East.
With no objection raised, the Clerk proceeded with the formalities, after which Idiaye took the oath of office and assumed the Speaker’s seat.
The leadership changes extended beyond the Speaker’s position.
Following a letter from the Edo APC, the House approved changes to the majority leadership, with Sunday Ojiezele emerging as Majority Leader and Ojie Inegbebor of Igueben becoming Deputy Majority Leader.
On the opposition side, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) nominated Natasha Osawaru as Minority Leader, a decision subsequently approved by the House.
The changes effectively reshaped the leadership structure of the Edo State House of Assembly within a single sitting.
Agbebaku’s resignation came only days after he moved against three lawmakers over an alleged impeachment plot, adding a dramatic turn to the political tensions that had been building within the Assembly.
With Idiaye now occupying the Speaker’s seat and new majority and minority leaders in place, the latest developments mark a significant shift in the balance of power within the Eighth Assembly.
The sudden leadership change is likely to attract further political attention as lawmakers settle into the new arrangement and the Assembly moves ahead under its new leadership.
