Edo Assembly speaker resigns

Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has resigned from his position amid reports of an alleged move by lawmakers to remove him from office.

Agbebaku’s media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Monday, announcing the resignation but indicating that more details would be released later.

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

Following Agbebaku’s resignation, Yekini Idaiyi, who represents Akoko Edo II Constituency, was reportedly sworn in as the new Speaker of the House.

Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, became Speaker of the eighth Edo State Assembly in June 2023.

Tensions surrounding his leadership emerged in May 2024 when he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers of the assembly.

At the time, Agbebaku reportedly alleged that external forces were behind the purported impeachment effort and claimed that charms and ritual objects had been brought into the assembly complex.

The lawmakers denied the allegations, describing their suspension as politically motivated. They were reportedly associated with Philip Shaibu, the former Edo deputy governor and a political ally of Adams Oshiomhole.

Agbebaku later defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2025. His defection came amid pressure from some APC stakeholders who reportedly questioned his previous political affiliation, campaign activities and preference for an APC speaker from his senatorial zone.

Governor Monday Okpebholo was, however, said to have supported Agbebaku’s continued leadership, citing his loyalty and contribution to advancing the administration’s agenda.

His latest resignation now brings an end to his tenure as Speaker, with Idaiyi taking over the leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly.