Edo Assembly Speaker Blessing Agbebaku has resigned amid reported impeachment moves, with Yekini Idaiyi emerging as his replacement.
Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has resigned from office amid reports of growing pressure within the legislature and an alleged move by some lawmakers to impeach him.
The development was confirmed on Monday by Ivy Ebojele, Agbebaku’s media aide, through a brief statement shared on Facebook. Although she confirmed that the Speaker had stepped down, she did not provide details on the circumstances surrounding his resignation.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS. DETAILS LATER,” Ebojele wrote.
The resignation has triggered a fresh change in the leadership of the Edo State legislature, with Yekini Idaiyi, who represents Akoko Edo II Constituency, reportedly sworn in as the new Speaker.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency in the Assembly, became Speaker in June 2023 after lawmakers elected him to lead the eighth Edo State House of Assembly.
His tenure as Speaker was, however, characterised by political disagreements and internal disputes, with one of the major crises emerging less than a year after he assumed office.
In May 2024, Agbebaku suspended three lawmakers following allegations that they were involved in a plan to remove him and other principal officers of the Assembly.
The dispute generated considerable attention at the time, particularly because of allegations surrounding the alleged impeachment plot. Agbebaku was reported to have accused external interests of attempting to influence developments within the legislature.
He also raised claims that charms and ritual materials were being brought into the Assembly complex in connection with the alleged moves against the leadership.
The lawmakers affected by the suspension rejected the allegations and described their removal from the Assembly as politically motivated.
They were reportedly regarded as political allies of Philip Shaibu, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State. Shaibu had been involved in a major political dispute with the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki before eventually leaving office.
The political affiliations of the suspended lawmakers reportedly became part of the wider disagreement over Agbebaku’s leadership of the legislature.
The Speaker later made another major political move in May 2025 when he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
His decision to join the APC reportedly came amid pressure from some party figures who wanted him removed as Speaker.
Some APC stakeholders were said to have questioned his previous political association with the PDP, his campaign activities before joining the party and his suitability to continue leading the Assembly.
There were also reported demands from some quarters for an original APC member from Agbebaku’s zone to take over the speakership.
Despite the pressure, Governor Monday Okpebholo was reportedly in favour of Agbebaku remaining in the position. The governor was said to have considered the Speaker’s loyalty and his role in supporting the administration’s legislative agenda.
That backing appeared to ease the immediate pressure on Agbebaku at the time and allowed him to remain in charge of the Assembly.
His resignation, therefore, represents a significant development in Edo State politics, particularly given the history of disagreements surrounding his leadership.
Although the precise reason for his latest decision has not been publicly disclosed, the resignation comes against the backdrop of reports that some members of the Assembly were considering moves to impeach him.
The emergence of Idaiyi as the new Speaker further underscores the speed with which the leadership transition has taken place.
The Edo State House of Assembly is expected to continue its legislative activities under the new leadership, while political observers will be watching closely to determine whether the change will affect the relationship between the legislature and the executive arm of government.
For now, Agbebaku’s media aide has indicated that more details concerning the resignation will be made available. Until an official explanation is released, the circumstances that led to his departure from the speakership remain unclear.
The development adds another chapter to the political history of the Edo Assembly, which has experienced several leadership-related controversies in recent years.
The new Speaker will now face the task of maintaining stability within the chamber while working with lawmakers and the state government to advance legislative business.
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