By Aliyu Oyewole
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from office amid reported moves by members of the legislature to impeach him.
Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed on Monday by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, in a Facebook post.
Ebojele, however, said further details surrounding the development would be made available later.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS. DETAILS LATER,” she wrote.
Following his resignation, Yekini Idaiyi, representing Akoko Edo II Constituency, was reportedly sworn in as the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, was elected Speaker of the eighth Assembly in June 2023.
His tenure had been marked by political tensions within the legislature, with his troubles reportedly beginning in May 2024 when he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to remove him and other principal officers.
At the time, Agbebaku reportedly alleged that the impeachment moves were being driven by external influences. He also made claims concerning the alleged introduction of charms and ritual materials into the Assembly complex.
The suspended lawmakers, however, rejected the allegations, describing their suspension as politically motivated.
The lawmakers were said to be political allies of Philip Shaibu, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State and an ally of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who has been associated with the political camp of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The political crisis surrounding Agbebaku later took another dimension in May 2025 when he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection came amid pressure from some APC stakeholders who reportedly wanted him removed as Speaker because of his PDP background, previous campaign activities and demands for an “original” APC member from his zone to lead the legislature.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, however, was reported to have supported Agbebaku’s continued leadership of the Assembly, citing his loyalty and contribution to advancing the administration’s agenda.
Despite the governor’s reported backing, fresh tensions within the Assembly have now culminated in Agbebaku’s resignation.
The circumstances surrounding his latest decision, as well as the details of the reported impeachment moves, are expected to emerge as the Edo State House of Assembly settles into a new leadership.
