The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has alleged that corruption and poor leadership were among the reasons lawmakers removed his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku.

Idiaye, who represents Akoko Edo Constituency I, emerged as Speaker on Monday following Agbebaku’s resignation amid reported tension within the Assembly and moves to impeach him.

Speaking to journalists after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye accused the former Speaker’s administration of poor leadership, prolonged adjournments and alleged corruption.

He said the Assembly had faced several challenges since its inauguration on June 16, 2023, under Agbebaku’s leadership.

According to Idiaye, lawmakers were unhappy with instances where plenary sessions were allegedly adjourned for as long as 30 days without clear reasons.

He said, “The House was inaugurated on the 16th of June, 2023 under the leadership of 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 the change in leadership was necessary to ensure the Assembly supports Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration and prevents anything that could hinder the state government’s progress.

He also explained that his emergence followed the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, under which the Speakership goes to Edo North when the governor is from Edo Central.

However, Agbebaku had yet to respond to the allegations against him as of the time of filing the report.