Edo Assembly Speaker Blessing Agbebaku Resigns Amid Impeachment Plot

Shockwaves hit the Edo State House of Assembly on Monday as Speaker Blessing Agbebaku suddenly stepped down, ending his controversial tenure amid reported plans by lawmakers to remove him from office.

Edo State politics has been thrown into fresh turmoil after Speaker Blessing Agbebaku abruptly resigned from office amid reported moves to impeach him. The development has raised fresh questions about the power struggle within the Edo State House of Assembly, coming after years of political tension, defections and disputes over the Speaker’s leadership.

Blessing Agbebaku resigned as Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly on August 17, 2026, amid reported moves by lawmakers to impeach him. Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, was elected Speaker in June 2023 and later defected from the PDP to the APC in May 2025. Yekini Idaiyi of Akoko Edo II Constituency has reportedly been sworn in as his successor.

BENIN CITY, Edo — A major political drama has unfolded in the Edo State House of Assembly after its Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, resigned from office amid reported moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, announced his resignation on Monday, August 17, 2026, following weeks of political tension and reported moves within the Assembly to remove him as Speaker.

His resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, in a Facebook post on Monday.

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

She, however, did not disclose the reason for the Speaker’s resignation, saying further details would be communicated later.

Meanwhile, Yekini Idaiyi, who represents Akoko Edo II Constituency, has reportedly been sworn in as the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

How the Crisis Began

Agbebaku was elected Speaker of the eighth Edo State House of Assembly in June 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, his tenure was later marked by political disagreements, shifting alliances and growing tensions within the Assembly.

The crisis became more visible in May 2024 when Agbebaku suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers of the House.

At the time, the Speaker reportedly linked the alleged plot to external influence. He also claimed that charms and ritual items were being brought into the Assembly complex.

The suspended lawmakers denied the allegations. They described their suspension as politically motivated.

The political dispute also brought Agbebaku into conflict with powerful interests within the state’s political structure.

The affected lawmakers were reportedly allies of Philip Shaibu, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State and an associate of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was widely regarded as a political influence behind Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Agbebaku’s Defection to APC

In May 2025, Agbebaku defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection came after some APC figures reportedly pushed for his removal as Speaker.

Those opposed to his continued leadership were said to have cited his PDP background, previous campaign activities and preference for an “original” APC Speaker from his political zone.

However, Governor Monday Okpebholo was reportedly said to have supported Agbebaku’s continued stay in office.

His loyalty and alleged role in facilitating the governor’s legislative agenda were reportedly among the factors behind the decision to retain him.
Fresh Political Pressure

Despite the earlier political backing, tensions surrounding Agbebaku’s leadership reportedly resurfaced, eventually culminating in his resignation on Monday.

His exit now marks another major development in the political struggle surrounding the Edo State House of Assembly.

Although his media aide confirmed that he had resigned, the specific circumstances surrounding the decision have not yet been fully disclosed.

Further details are expected to emerge as political actors within the Assembly and the wider Edo political establishment react to the development.