The new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, on Monday said the 24-member Assembly removed the immediate past Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, over alleged corruption and poor leadership.
Agbebaku resigned early Monday morning after receiving information that 18 out of the 24 assembly members have signed his impeachment notice on Sunday,
while his media aide Ivy Ebojele confirmed his resignation.
Idiaye, who stated this while addressing members of the House, said the change of leadership was aimed at ensuring better legislative work and effective application of parliamentary practices.
He said the Assembly, which was inaugurated on June 16, 2023, had initially been driven by the desire to legislate for the common good of the people of Edo State.
“Very Distinguished Honourable Members of the 8th Assembly, recall that on June 16th, 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. Edo citizens here, and in diaspora felt a high sensation that Laws, Motions and Over-sight works would be done to better the living conditions of our people.
“However, due to personal and parochial consideration by few individuals, no tangible results were recorded. This is at variance with the benchmark set for this Assembly and by extension our people.
“Every attempt made to put the LEADERSHIP of the House on sanity were rebuffed.
“Parliament is about Law making not a place of social meeting where one individual decides when to SIT or not to SIT as presently practised. The essence of electing a
We shall not allow the House to be riddled with misdirections and Corruption due to the error and greed of few men.”
He maintained that the change of the leadership of the House of Assembly is a change for good.
“The event of today change of guard, is a change for Better legislative work, and effective application of Parliamentary practices, devoid of personal interest, Corruption, poor leadership and failure to uphold the Oath of Office swore to.”
Idiaye said the former Speaker was also suspended to allow allegations against him to be thoroughly investigated.
He specifically mentioned an allegation involving the purported inflation of the cost of purchasing Lexus 570 Jeeps and Hilux vehicles by the former Speaker.
“To ensure that these weight of allegations, amongst which is, inflating the price of purchasing the Lexus 570 Jeeps and Hilux vehicles against the former Speaker, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku are thoroughly investigated, and uninterrupted, hence the suspension of the former Speaker pending when these allegations are fully looked into,” he said.
He directed that all documents and paraphernalia of office in Agbebaku’s possession be handed over to the Clerk of the House, who would subsequently brief the new leadership.
“All Political Office holders attached to his office are hereby dissolved.
“In the interim, the Commissioner of Police and all Security Agencies are to ensure that no official status of the Office of Mr. Speaker is accorded to or performed by the suspended Speaker, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku,” Idiaye said.
