Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has resigned from his position amid alleged moves by lawmakers to remove him from office.
Gatekeepers News reports that Agbebaku’s media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed his resignation in a Facebook post on Monday, August 17, 2026, but said further details would be provided later.
The resignation came as members of the Assembly were reportedly making moves to impeach the Speaker.
Yekini Idaiyi, representing Akoko Edo II Constituency, was subsequently reported to have been sworn in as the new Speaker of the House.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, became Speaker of the eighth Edo Assembly in June 2023.
His leadership had previously faced internal challenges. In May 2024, he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers of the House.
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 lawmakers were reportedly allies of Philip Shaibu, former Deputy Governor of Edo State and an associate of Adams Oshiomhole, who was said to have political influence within the state.
Agbebaku later defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2025. His move followed pressure from some APC figures who reportedly wanted him removed because of his previous political affiliation and campaign activities, as well as their preference for an APC Speaker from his zone.
However, Governor Monday Okpebholo reportedly supported Agbebaku’s continued leadership, citing his loyalty and contribution to the administration’s agenda.
The latest leadership change comes less than a year before the 2027 general elections and amid reported political tensions within the Edo State legislature.
