The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from his position amid alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Agbebaku’s media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed his resignation in a Facebook post on Monday, saying further details would be made available later.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS. DETAILS LATER,” Ebojele wrote.
Following his resignation, Yekini Idaiyi, representing Akoko Edo II Constituency, was reportedly sworn in as the new Speaker of the Assembly.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, was elected Speaker of the eighth Assembly in June 2023.
His leadership of the House had previously faced internal challenges. In May 2024, he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers.
At the time, Agbebaku reportedly linked the alleged impeachment plot to external influence and claimed that charms and ritual items were being brought into the Assembly complex. The suspended lawmakers denied the allegations and described their suspension as politically motivated.
The political crisis continued into 2025, when Agbebaku defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
His defection followed pressure from some APC figures who reportedly sought his removal because of his PDP background, previous campaign activities and preference for what they described as an “original” APC Speaker from his zone.
However, Governor Monday Okpebholo reportedly supported Agbebaku’s retention, citing his loyalty and role in advancing the administration’s agenda.
The latest resignation now marks another leadership change in the Edo State House of Assembly amid renewed political tensions within the legislature.
