Yekini Idiaye, 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 reported moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
His emergence was reportedly influenced by the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which provides that when the governor comes from the Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should emerge from Edo North.
As the longest-serving member from the Edo North Senatorial District, Idiaye was subsequently elected Speaker.
The new Speaker said that without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku.
Online gathered that lawmakers later visited the Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo of the change in the Assembly’s leadership.
Agbebaku’s resignation reportedly followed moves by lawmakers to remove him from office.
Sources said 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment on Sunday night, a development that may have influenced his decision to resign.
Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said further details would be released later.
“I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later,” she said.
When contacted, Agbebaku’s telephone line was busy, while Ebojele had yet to issue a further statement on the circumstances surrounding his resignation.