The Edo State House of Assembly has elected Yekini Idiaye, who represents Akoko Edo Constituency I, as its new Speaker.
Idiaye emerged as Speaker on Monday after the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, resigned from office.
Agbebaku’s resignation came amid tension in the House and moves by some lawmakers to remove him from office.
The Deputy Speaker, Osamwonye Atu, presided over Monday’s plenary and announced that the House had received Agbebaku’s resignation letter.
After the announcement, the lawmaker representing Esan South East Constituency, Sunday Ojiezele, nominated Idiaye as Speaker. His nomination was seconded by the lawmaker representing Owan East Constituency, Eric Okaka.
The Clerk of the House later administered the oath of office on Idiaye, who then took over as the new Speaker of the Eighth Assembly.
The House also approved changes to the leadership of the majority caucus following a letter from the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ojiezele, who represents Esan South East Constituency, was named Majority Leader, while Ojie Inegbebor, representing Igueben Constituency, became Deputy Majority Leader.
The lawmakers also approved a letter from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which nominated Natasha Osawaru as the new Minority Leader.
The changes have created a new leadership structure in the Edo State House of Assembly, with Idiaye now leading the Eighth Assembly.
