New Edo Assembly Speaker Pledges Support For Okpebholo

The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has pledged the support of the legislature for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.

Idiaye made the pledge on Monday in Benin after he was sworn in as Speaker, following the resignation of Blessing Agbebaku.

The new Speaker said the leadership change was necessary to reposition the House and ensure that its activities support the governor’s development plans for the state.

Idiaye accused the former leadership of poor management and alleged that corruption and repeated adjournments had affected the effectiveness of the Assembly.

He said lawmakers were dissatisfied with a situation where legislative proceedings were frequently postponed for long periods, arguing that such a pattern could slow down governance and affect the implementation of government programmes.

According to him, an ineffective legislature could also hinder the work of the executive arm of government. He said lawmakers therefore decided that a change in leadership was necessary to ensure the Assembly played its role in supporting the state government.

Idiaye described Governor Okpebholo as a leader who was working to improve the lives of Edo residents and said the Assembly would cooperate with his administration to advance development across the state.

He assured the governor of the House’s willingness to provide the legislative backing required for his programmes and policies.

The leadership change followed the resignation of Agbebaku, who stepped down amid moves by lawmakers to remove him from office. The former Speaker was also suspended by the House over allegations relating to the pricing of Lexus 570 Jeeps and Hilux vehicles.

The Assembly subsequently elected Idiaye as his replacement.

The House also reshuffled its leadership, with Sanny Ojezele, representing Esan South-East, emerging as the new Majority Leader.

Idiaye’s emergence marks a new phase in the leadership of the Edo Assembly, with the new Speaker expected to work with lawmakers and the executive to improve the effectiveness of the legislature.