Breaking: Why Edo Deputy Speaker, Idiaye, Was Impeached; Allegations Of Bribery Reign |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

Perhaps he spoke too soon. He withdrew his loyalty from Governor Godwin Obaseki too soon, and pledged it to Obaseki’s opponent in the up-coming Governorship election.

With less than two months to the September 19, 2020, Governorship Election in Edo State, the Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini  Idiaye struck. He abandoned the Governor, and publicly backed Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC.  He underated the powers of a Governor, or the anger of his colleagues who feel betrayed. For doing that, he has burnt his fingers, and now, lost his plum office. He has been impeached from office.

The impeachment came a few days after the former Deputy Speaker declared his support for Ize-Iyamu.

He had been with Obaseki, and was one of the Assembly members who backed him, and got sworn-in

He was impeached during the plenary session of the Assembly on Wednesday.

He, only, knows why he jumped ship. But Philip Shaibu, Deputy Governor of the state, alleged that he and another, were given the sum of N40 million, each,  to support Ize-Iyamu. So, Shaibu called on his constituency –

Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (LGA) to ask their representatives at the  House of Assembly, Hon. Idiaye and Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje, for their share of the N40 million given to each of them by the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to influence their support for the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Addressing supporters in Lampese, Akoko-Edo LGA, Shaibu said the Deputy Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly and member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Idiaye, and member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency II, Agbaje, were paid N40 million to influence their support for Ize-Iyamu.

“Hon Agbaje and Hon. Yekini collected N40 million each to throw their support for Ize-Iyamu. Oshiomhole also gave N5 million each to councilors to switch loyalty and support the APC candidate.  I had a meeting with these lawmakers who demanded $10,000, but I told them Obaseki is not a governor that shares money, but uses such money for the development of Edo State. Use your Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to vote these corrupt leaders out of office.”

More drama is expected in the days ahead.