The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from his position, citing personal reasons and the need to protect peace and the interests of Edo State and his constituency.
Agbebaku announced his resignation in a statement shared by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, on Facebook on Monday.
His resignation came amid moves by some lawmakers to remove him from office.
However, the former Speaker said his decision was not prompted by any breakdown in his relationship with members of the House, noting that he maintained a cordial relationship with the 23 other lawmakers throughout his tenure.
He acknowledged that disagreements were inevitable among lawmakers because of their different identities and beliefs but said such differences did not prevent the House from passing people-oriented bills and resolutions during his three years as Speaker.
“Differences will naturally arise because we all have our individual identities and beliefs. However, that did not stop us from passing people-oriented Bills and Resolutions in the last three years of my leadership,” he said.
Agbebaku said he took the decision to resign after carefully considering the broader interests of the state and his constituents in Owan West.
“My decision to resign was taken in the interest of peace, the state, and my immediate constituency, Owan West,” he stated.
The former Speaker thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for the support and cooperation he received during his tenure, while reaffirming his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress and Edo State.
“I appreciate the Governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his support and cooperation during my tenure. I reaffirm my loyalty to the party and to the state,” he said.
Agbebaku also appealed to his supporters to remain calm following his resignation and the emergence of a new leadership in the Assembly.
“I urge all my supporters to remain calm and to continue to believe in the greater good and the development of democracy in the state,” he said.
He congratulated his successor, Yekini Idaiye, and other principal officers of the Assembly, urging lawmakers to work together and maintain peace.
“I congratulate the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yekini Idaiye, and other principal officers of the House. I call for peaceful coexistence among all lawmakers,” he added.
Idaiye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I, emerged as the new Speaker following Agbebaku’s resignation.
However, the new Speaker later criticised Agbebaku’s leadership, accusing him of corruption and poor administration.
Idaiye alleged that the Assembly suffered prolonged adjournments and other challenges under Agbebaku’s leadership, claiming that the House sometimes remained on adjournment for as long as 30 days without justification.
“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,” Idaiye alleged.
He added that lawmakers were dissatisfied with Agbebaku’s leadership style, which he claimed had affected the work of the state government.
“We are not happy with his leadership style. His leadership is poor and it has been drawing the work of the government backwards,” he said.
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