BREAKING: YEKINI IDIAYE EMERGES NEW SPEAKER OF EDO ASSEMBLY

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By; Sunmola Ganiyat

Yekini Idiaye, the lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, has emerged as the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

Idiaye, a third-term legislator, succeeds Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned from the position on Monday amid alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

The new Speaker’s emergence 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.

Idiaye, described as the oldest serving member from Edo North Senatorial District, was subsequently elected to lead the Assembly.

Speaking on the development, Idiaye said that without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku.

Members of the Assembly visited the Edo State Government House to brief Governor Monday Okpebholo on the change in leadership.

Agbebaku was said to have resigned earlier on Monday following alleged moves by lawmakers to remove him from office.

Reports indicated that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment on Sunday night, a development believed to have preceded his resignation.

Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said further details would be made available later.

“I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later,” she said.