The Edo State House of Assembly has elected the lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Yekini Idiaye, as its new Speaker.
Idiaye, a three-term member of the Assembly, emerged shortly after Blessing Agbebaku resigned from the position on Monday.
Agbebaku’s resignation came amid reported moves by members of the legislature to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
Sources said the choice of Idiaye was in line with an informal zoning arrangement in the Assembly, which favours Edo North for the speakership whenever the governor is from Edo Central.
As the most senior member representing Edo North in the Assembly, Idiaye was subsequently elected to preside over the lawmakers.
The new Speaker explained that under normal circumstances, the Deputy Speaker would have succeeded Agbebaku, but the zoning arrangement influenced the decision.
PUNCH Online gathered that lawmakers later proceeded to the Edo State Government House to brief Governor Monday Okpebholo on the change in the leadership of the Assembly.
The leadership change followed reports that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against Agbebaku during a meeting on Sunday night.
His resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said further details would be provided.
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“I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later,” she said.
Efforts to obtain further comments from Agbebaku were unsuccessful as his telephone line was busy at the time of filing this report.
