Edo Political activist condemns ‘forced resignation’ of Assembly Speaker

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By Ozioruva Aliu

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BENIN CITY – AN Edo political activist, community leader and concerned stakeholder for Justice and Equity in Owan Nation, Gordie Aigbodion Esq. on Sunday condemned the recent resignation of the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku who last Wednesday resigned his position to avoid being impeached by his colleagues.

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Agbabku was replaced by the member representing Akoko-Edo I, Hon Yekini Idaiye who has since assumed the leadership of the legislature.

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But Aigbodion in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City said Agbebaku’s alleged forced resignation was a slap on the people of Owan West where he Nation.

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He alleged that there is a deliberate plan to marginalize the people of Owan despite their contributions to the development of the state and that their votes were being undermined by some people in authority.

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He said “The Owan Nation, across Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas, registers its profound discontent, outrage, and outright rejection of the orchestrated removal and forced resignation of our illustrious son, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

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“The circumstances leading to his exit characterized by backroom intimidation, executive arm twisting, and the rapid fielding of trumped-up allegations of corruption and high-handedness, constitute a clear subversion of legislative independence and democratic principles.”

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He said while political maneuvering is not alien to parliamentary politics, there was a heavy-handed involvement of politicians from the executive who he accused of unilaterally compelling the exit of the head of the legislature.

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This he said undermined constitutional checks and balances and reduced a co-equal branch of government to a rubber stamp.

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While the people of Owan do not condone, or encourage corrupt practices by any public officer holder, the way Agbabaku was removed, left much to be desired.

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He commended Agbebaku for facilitating key constituency outreach and local developmental initiatives in Owan West and across Edo North while he was Speaker.

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He cautioned the governor of the state and the executive arm of government that “Owan votes are not mere election-day collateral. Owan West and Owan East have consistently delivered solid, lawful votes that determined past and present electoral victories in Edo State. The ongoing disrespect, tactical disenfranchisement, and political bullying of our elected representatives must stop immediately.”

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He called Owan traditional and political leaders across party lines to wake up and speak against the alleged marginalization and“must realise that when one Owan leader is bullied and stripped of office unfairly, it diminishes the collective voice and bargaining power of the entire ethnic nationality.”

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