Yekini Idiaye, member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, has emerged as the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, succeeds Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned as Speaker on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
His emergence was reportedly influenced by the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which provides that when the governor is from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.
Idiaye, being the oldest serving member from Edo North, was subsequently elected Speaker.
The new Speaker said that without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku.
The Telegraph gathered that members of the Assembly visited the Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo of the change in leadership.
When contacted by our correspondent, Agbebaku’s telephone line was busy, while his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, had yet to issue a further statement on his resignation.
Agbebaku was said to have resigned early Monday following alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
The Telegraph gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment against him on Sunday night, a development that may have prompted his resignation.
Ebojele confirmed Agbebaku’s resignation but said further details would be made public later.
“I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later,” she said.
