BENIN CITY, Nigeria — The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, resigned from office on Monday, August 17, 2026, amid reported moves by a majority of lawmakers to impeach him. The development triggered a swift leadership overhaul in the 24-member Eighth Assembly.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, stepped down during a brief plenary session that lasted less than 30 minutes. His media aide, Ivy Ebojele (also referred to as Ivy Adodo-Ebojele), confirmed the resignation in a public statement, noting that further details would follow.
In a subsequent statement issued through his media team, Agbebaku said the decision was “purely for personal reasons” and taken “in the interest of peace, the state, and my immediate constituency, Owan West.”
He maintained that he had enjoyed a cordial working relationship with all 24 members of the House throughout his tenure despite natural differences in opinions. “Differences will naturally arise because we all have our individual identities and beliefs. However, that did not stop us from passing people-oriented Bills and Resolutions in the last three years of my leadership,” Agbebaku stated.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Monday Okpebholo for support received, reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC), congratulated his successor and the new principal officers, and urged supporters to remain calm while calling for peaceful coexistence among lawmakers.
Sources close to the Assembly indicated that Agbebaku’s resignation followed mounting pressure and the circulation of an impeachment notice reportedly signed by 17 of the 24 lawmakers on Sunday night. He was said to have opted for a soft landing rather than face a formal removal process.
Following the announcement of the resignation letter by the Deputy Speaker, lawmakers elected Yekini Idiaye (also spelled Idaiye), the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, as the new Speaker. Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, was nominated by Sunday Ojiezele (Esan South-East) and seconded by Eric Okaka (Owan East). The Clerk of the House administered the oath of office, after which Idiaye assumed leadership.
The House also effected other changes in the principal officers. Sunday Ojiezele was named Majority Leader, replacing Jonathan Ibhamawu (Esan West). Ojie Inegbebor (or Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene) became Deputy Majority Leader. Natasha Osawaru (Egor Constituency, National Democratic Congress) emerged as the new Minority Leader.
Speaking to journalists after the plenary, Idiaye attributed the leadership change to dissatisfaction with Agbebaku’s tenure. He alleged poor leadership, corruption and frequent prolonged adjournments of the Assembly, sometimes lasting up to 30 days without justification. “We are not happy with his leadership style. His leadership is poor, and it has been drawing the work of the government backwards,” Idiaye said.
He added that the move was necessary to support Governor Okpebholo’s administration and prevent any derailment of the state’s progress.
Agbebaku had been elected Speaker unanimously on June 16, 2023, at the inauguration of the Eighth Assembly. He previously served as Chief of Staff to the former Speaker and represented Owan West between 2007 and 2011. He defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in 2025.
Governor Okpebholo has urged the new leadership to set aside personal differences, prioritise teamwork, transparency, unity and humility, and focus on serving the people of Edo State. The Assembly’s leadership transition is expected to shape legislative-executive relations in the coming period.
About the Author
