Edo Assembly impeaches deputy speaker, Yekini Idiaye

The Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has been impeached, Gentechnews has learnt.

Idiaye was impeached on Wednesday during a plenary session of the Assembly in Benin City.

The House then elected the member representing Orhionmwon II Constituency, Roland Asoro, to replace Idiaye as Deputy Speaker.

Gentechnews had earlier reported that Idiaye and some 16 lawmakers recently pledged their support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Osagie Ize-Iyamu during  a solidarity visit to the private residence of Ize-Iyamu in Benin City on Monday.

Some of the lawmakers announced their decision and assured him of their loyalty to ensure his victory at the poll.

Idiaye, a critic of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration, had earlier said, “There is no reason for me to defect to another party because there is no single project in my village to show under this present administration. I am from Somorika in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and my village is the most backward in Akoko-Edo.

“There are clear reasons why we are standing for our party because what would have been our problem in making progress has left us. I want to assure Edo people that with the emergence of Ize-Iyamu, Edo will move forward.”

Obaseki, who is seeking reelection on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, had dumped APC after his disqualification from the party’s primary.

Obaseki would be facing Ize-Iyamu, as well as other political contenders in Edo politics, come September 19.