Edo: Owan stakeholders kick against Agbebaku’s resignation, demand action

Barely days after the resignation of the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, concerned citizens and political stakeholders from Owan federal constituency in the state have rejected the circumstances surrounding his exit, describing it as an alleged attempt to undermine the independence of the legislature.

Agbebaku recently resigned his position as Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly following mounting political pressure and allegations levelled against his leadership.

His resignation subsequently triggered a leadership change in the Assembly, with the development generating reactions across the state.

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Reacting to the development, the Owan stakeholders, in a statement signed by Barr. Hon. Gordie Aigbodion and made available to journalists in Benin on Sunday, expressed “profound discontent” over what they considered as backroom intimidation, executive arm-twisting and allegations allegedly used to force Agbebaku out of office.

The group said the circumstances surrounding the former Speaker’s resignation amounted to an alleged subversion of legislative independence, arguing that excessive interference by the Executive in the affairs of the legislature could weaken the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

According to the stakeholders, while political disagreements were not unusual in parliamentary politics, the alleged intervention of the Executive in compelling the exit of the head of the legislature constituted a threat to the constitutional principle of separation of powers and checks and balances.

The group, however, stressed that its position should not be interpreted as a blanket endorsement of Agbebaku’s tenure, saying it neither condoned corruption nor supported any improper conduct by public office holders.

It maintained that fairness demanded that his achievements should not be ignored or erased on account of political disagreements.

The stakeholders listed constituency outreach and development initiatives, legislative continuity during periods of political transition and the representation of Owan interests at the state’s highest decision-making level among the achievements they attributed to the former Speaker.

They further alleged that the former Speaker’s resignation was part of a wider pattern of political marginalisation of the Owan people, particularly in relation to access to major political offices and opportunities within Edo North Senatorial District.

The group warned that Owan West and Owan East would no longer accept what it described as political disrespect and intimidation of their elected representatives, stressing that the people’s votes remained important in determining electoral outcomes in the state.

It therefore called on Owan traditional rulers, elders, community associations and political leaders to break their silence, unite across party lines and convene an emergency stakeholders’ summit to address what it described as the political marginalisation of Owan people and protect their collective interests.