Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has resigned from his position amid reports of moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Ivy Ebojele, Agbebaku’s media aide, confirmed his resignation in a Facebook post on Monday, saying further details would be provided later.
“Edo Assembly Speaker Rt Hon Chief Blessing Agbebaku resigns. Details later,” Ebojele wrote.
Yekini Idaiyi, representing Akoko Edo II Constituency, was subsequently sworn in as the new Speaker, according to reports.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, was elected Speaker of the eighth assembly in June 2023.
His tenure came under pressure in May 2024 when he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to remove him and other principal officers of the assembly.
At the time, Agbebaku reportedly attributed the alleged impeachment moves to external influence and claimed that charms and ritual items were being brought into the assembly complex.
The suspended lawmakers, who were said to be allies of Philip Shaibu, the former deputy governor of Edo State and an ally of Adams Oshiomhole, denied the allegations and described their suspension as politically motivated.
Agbebaku later defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2025.
His defection came after some APC figures reportedly called for his removal, citing his PDP background, previous campaign activities and preference for what they described as an “original” APC speaker from his zone.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, however, was reported to have supported Agbebaku’s continued leadership of the assembly, citing his loyalty and role in advancing the administration’s agenda.
The circumstances surrounding Agbebaku’s resignation and the events leading to the reported change in leadership remain unclear, with further details expected.
