Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State House of Assembly was thrown into a fresh leadership crisis on Monday, August 17, 2026, as Speaker Blessing Agbebaku resigned from his position amid mounting moves by some lawmakers to impeach him. Agbebaku's resignation, confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, in a Facebook post, brought an abrupt end to his tenure as the presiding officer of the state legislature, which he had held since June 2023. His departure comes just days after the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election, adding to the political turbulence sweeping through the South‑West and South‑South regions.
Adodo-Ebojele announced the resignation with a brief post: “EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS.” She added that further details on the circumstances surrounding his exit would be made public later. The resignation, however, did not come as a complete surprise. Reports had emerged over the weekend that some members of the Assembly had concluded plans to remove Agbebaku through impeachment proceedings, with tensions escalating to a point where the Speaker could no longer hold on to his position.
The political crisis had been brewing for months. Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, was first elected Speaker of the eighth Assembly in June 2023. His troubles began in May 2024 when he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers. The embattled Speaker was said to have linked the alleged impeachment plot to external influence, even claiming that charms and ritual items were being brought into the Assembly complex. The suspended lawmakers, who were allies of former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and an associate of Adams Oshiomhole, the purported godfather of Governor Monday Okpebholo, denied the allegations, describing the action as politically motivated.
The Speaker subsequently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in May 2025, a move that was seen as an attempt to secure his position. However, some APC figures continued to push for his removal, citing his PDP background and past campaign activities. Governor Okpebholo, however, reportedly backed Agbebaku's retention, citing his loyalty and his role in facilitating the governor's legislative agenda. Despite the governor's support, the pressure on Agbebaku intensified, culminating in Monday's resignation.
Following Agbebaku's resignation, Deputy Speaker Osamwonye Atu presided over plenary. The House formally acknowledged the receipt of Agbebaku's resignation letter, and the process of electing a new Speaker was swiftly set in motion. Hon. Yekini Idaiyi, the lawmaker representing Akoko‑Edo I Constituency, was nominated for the position by the member representing Esan South East Constituency, Sunday Ojiezele, and the nomination was seconded by Eric Okaka, the member representing Owan East Constituency. The Clerk of the House subsequently administered the oath of office on Idaiyi, who immediately assumed the leadership of the House.
The leadership change was accompanied by a broader shake‑up of the House leadership. The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress submitted a letter seeking changes in the majority caucus leadership. The House subsequently approved the nomination of Ojiezele as Majority Leader and Ojie Inegbebor, representing Igueben Constituency, as Deputy Majority Leader. In a separate development, the House also approved a letter from the National Democratic Congress nominating Natasha Osawaru as the new Minority Leader of the House, a position that had reportedly been pending before the latest leadership changes.
The developments have effectively ushered in a new leadership structure in the Edo State House of Assembly, with Idaiyi now presiding over the Eighth Assembly. The swiftness of the transition suggests that the political forces behind Agbebaku's removal had been mobilising for some time and were ready to install a new leadership team immediately. For Agbebaku, the resignation marks the end of a tenure that was marked by controversy, political turbulence, and an inability to hold together the fragile coalition that had kept him in power. For Governor Okpebholo, the change at the helm of the Assembly presents both an opportunity and a challenge as he seeks to consolidate his legislative agenda ahead of the 2027 elections. The political landscape in Edo State has shifted once again, and the full implications of Agbebaku's departure will unfold in the days and weeks ahead.
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