New Edo Speaker Accuses Predecessor Of Inflating Vehicle Costs, Suspends Him Pending Probe

The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has accused his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku, of inflating the cost of Lexus LX 570 SUVs and Toyota Hilux trucks purchased for members of the Assembly.

Idiaye made the allegations during his inauguration on Monday, saying the House would investigate the claims.

The new Speaker said the 8th Assembly had failed to meet the expectations set at inauguration on June 16, 2023.

“Edo citizens here and in the diaspora expected that laws, motions and oversight would be done to better the living conditions of our people. Parliament is about lawmaking and not a social meeting where one individual decides when to sit or not to sit,” Idiaye said.

He added that efforts to “sanitize the leadership of the House” were rebuffed, and vowed that the Assembly would not be “riddled with misdirection and corruption due to the error and greed of a few men.”

“To ensure that these weighty allegations, including inflating the price of purchasing the Lexus 570 jeeps and Hilux vehicles, are thoroughly investigated, we have suspended the former Speaker pending the conclusion of investigations,” he stated.

Idiaye also said “never again shall a blind and greedy man be allowed to lead the Assembly.”

The Speaker announced the dissolution of all political appointees attached to the office of the immediate past Speaker.

He directed that all documents and paraphernalia of office in Agbebaku’s possession be handed over to the Clerk of the House for onward briefing of the new leadership.

Idiaye further directed the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to suspend the official status and privileges accorded to the office of the former Speaker pending the outcome of investigations.