Why I Resigned As Edo Assembly Speaker

Why I Resigned As Edo Assembly Speaker – Agbebaku
Yekini Idaiye secured 17 votes to become the new Assembly Speaker.
New leadership changes were announced across the Assembly’s majority and minority blocs.

Former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has explained why he resigned from office on Monday amid an alleged move by 18 members of the Assembly to impeach him.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Olodo Uprising: Sanwo-Olu Advises Youths to Embrace Knowledge, Curiosity
BBN Season 11 Kicks Off with Unveiling of 24 Housemates Competing for ₦160m Grand Prize
Why Africa Must Stop Exporting Raw Materials, Lessons From Benin for Nigeria

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Agbebaku said he stepped down after being asked to resign in the interest of peace in the state, adding that he was not prepared to stand in the way of efforts to maintain peace. His resignation was announced on the floor of the House during plenary, paving the way for the immediate election of Yekini Idaiye, the lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo I Constituency, as the new Speaker.

Addressing lawmakers after his resignation, Agbebaku said he accepted the decision and was ready to step aside despite having been elected to lead the Assembly. He said, “I agree with all of you. The process is that today I have been asked to resign. Because of that, I was supposed to lead the procession here to resign on the red chair.

“I was not born to be a speaker. I think today I am standing here as a hero.”

In his resignation message, Agbebaku commended Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for supporting him during his tenure as Speaker, saying he owed the governor his cooperation whenever peace in the state was at stake.

“If he has a decision contrary to giving his government a peaceful trade deal, I think I have no choice but to obey his decision,” Agbebaku said, adding, “We want peace in the state. And I have resigned.”

Sources told Vanguard that close allies of the governor and senior figures within the All Progressives Congress had been working behind the scenes to change the leadership structure of the Assembly.

Agbebaku had reportedly faced criticism over his handling of a nominee the governor wanted cleared for an appointment, alongside other grievances raised against him by some members of the House.

Hours before his resignation was announced, Agbebaku arrived at the Assembly complex at about 8 a.m. and directed his aides to remove his belongings from the Speaker’s office and move them to the office reserved for the member representing Owan West Constituency, which he represents.

Following the formal announcement of his resignation, Deputy Speaker Osamwonyi Atu Osamwonyi took over the plenary session to oversee the transition.

Sunny Ojezele, representing Esan South-East Constituency, nominated Idaiye for the vacant Speaker’s position, while the motion was seconded by Eric Okaka, representing Owan East Constituency.

Idaiye secured 17 of the 24 votes cast to emerge as the new presiding officer of the eighth Assembly. The Clerk of the House subsequently swore him into office.

In his acceptance speech, Idaiye promised a new direction for the Assembly, saying his leadership would focus on effective lawmaking and the welfare of Edo residents. He said the change in leadership had become necessary for the House to properly carry out its legislative and oversight responsibilities.

“Very distinguished Honourable Members of the 8th Assembly, recall that on June 16, 2023, when this great Assembly was inaugurated, it came with a burning zest by the 24 wise and Honourable Members to legislate for the common good of our people.

“However, due to personal and parochial considerations by a few individuals, no tangible results were recorded. This is at variance with the benchmark set for this Assembly and by extension our people,” he said.

The new Speaker also criticised what he described as repeated disruptions to plenary sittings and a backlog of unresolved legislative matters, insisting that the House must return its attention to its core responsibility of lawmaking.

“Parliament is about lawmaking, not a place of social meeting where only one decides when to sit or not to sit as presently practised,” Idaiye said.

Idaiye also alleged financial misconduct against Agbebaku, including claims relating to the purchase of Lexus 570 vehicles and Hilux vans.

He called for a full investigation into the allegations and directed security agencies to prevent the former Speaker from performing any official functions of the office pending the outcome of the investigation.

Meanwhile, a communication read on the floor by the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Jarrett Tenebe, who attended the session, confirmed the appointment of Sunday Ojezele as the new Majority Leader, replacing Jonathan Ibhamawu.

Why I Resigned As Edo Assembly Speaker – Agbebaku

Eugene Inegbeboh, representing Igueben Constituency, was also appointed Deputy Majority Leader, replacing Adeh Isibor.

A separate statement from the National Democratic Congress announced two additional changes in the Assembly. Uyi Omisigho, representing Oredo West, was appointed Minority Whip, while Natasha Osawaru Idibia, representing Egor Constituency, emerged as the new Minority Leader.