by Imoleayo Oyedeyi

Yekini Idiaye, member representing Akoko-Edo constituency I, has been elected as the new speaker of the Edo state house of assembly.

Idiaye’s emergence follows the exit of Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned earlier on Monday amid alleged plots by members of the assembly to impeach him.

The new speaker is from the north senatorial district of the state.

Idiaye was reportedly picked ahead of the deputy speaker due to an existing zoning arrangement, which stipulates that the speakership position must be zoned to the north since Monday Okpebholo, the governor of the state, is an indigene of Edo central.

Speaking with journalists shortly after presiding over Monday’s plenary at the assembly, the new speaker reportedly accused his predecessor of corruption.

“The House was inaugurated on the 16th of June, 2023 under the leadership of the former Speaker, Hon Blessing Agbebaku, and since then we have been passing through a lot of challenges — corruption here and there, adjournment here and there, sometimes for 30 days without a cause,” Idiaye said.

“We are not happy with his leadership style. His leadership is poor and it has been drawing the work of the government backward.

“That is why we removed him. We must encourage our performing governor. He is doing well, anything that will derail or stop our performing governor, we must stop it.”

As of the time of filing this report, the leadership of the assembly is yet to issue an official statement on the development, while members of the house are said to be at the government house for a meeting with the governor.

BACKGROUND

Troubles began for Agbebaku, the former speaker, in the house in May 2024, shortly after he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers.

The embattled speaker was said to have linked his alleged impeachment plot to external influence and claims that charms and ritual items were being brought into the assembly complex.

The suspended lawmakers were allies of Philip Shaibu, former deputy governor of the state and an ally of Adams Oshiomhole, the purported godfather of Monday Okpebholo, the incumbent governor of the state.

The suspended members denied the allegations, describing the action as politically motivated.

Agbebaku subsequently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2025 after some APC figures pushed for his removal, citing his PDP background, past campaign activities and preference for an “original” APC speaker from his zone.

However, Okpebholo reportedly backed his retention, citing his loyalty and role in facilitating the governor’s agenda.

Source: TheCable