Edo Assembly Speaker Blessing Agbebaku Resigns Over ‘Impeachment Threat’

Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has resigned from his position amid reports that some lawmakers were planning to remove him.

His media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed the resignation in a Facebook post on Monday, August 17.

She said more information about the development would be released later.

“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS. DETAILS LATER,” she wrote.

Agbebaku’s resignation comes with reports that lawmakers had been considering moves to impeach him.

Following his exit, Yekini Idaiyi, who represents Akoko Edo II Constituency, was reportedly sworn in as the new Speaker of the state assembly.

Blessing Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, became Speaker of the eighth Edo State House of Assembly in June 2023.

His relationship with some members of the assembly became strained in May 2024 when he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plan to remove him and other principal officers.

At the time, Agbebaku claimed that the alleged impeachment effort was influenced by people outside the assembly.

He also made claims about charms and ritual objects allegedly being brought into the assembly complex.

The lawmakers who were suspended rejected the allegations and described their suspension as politically driven.

The three lawmakers were reportedly close to Philip Shaibu, the former Edo deputy governor, who was also associated with Adams Oshiomhole, a political ally of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Agbebaku later left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2025.

His defection came after some APC members reportedly pushed for his removal, arguing that he had previously belonged to the PDP and had campaigned against the party.

They also wanted the Speaker to come from their preferred zone and be a long-standing APC member.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, however, reportedly supported Agbebaku remaining in office, pointing to his loyalty and his contribution to advancing the governor’s programmes.

The latest resignation marks another major development in the leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly.

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