The crisis within the Edo State House of Assembly has evolved, with lawmakers officially impeaching the suspended former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, just eight days after his removal from the leadership position.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, found himself at the heart of a leadership dispute that began on August 17, 2026, when the House announced new leadership changes.
Controversy Over Agbebaku’s Resignation
On Monday, August 17, Agbebaku purportedly stepped down as Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly. Following this, Yekini Idaiye, representing Akoko-Edo 1 Constituency, was chosen as the new Speaker.
However, the House later suspended Agbebaku indefinitely and dismissed two other principal officers from their roles. Jonathan Ibhamawu of Esan West Constituency was removed as Majority Leader and replaced by Ojiezele Osezua Sunday of Esan South-East Constituency. Addeh Emankhu Isibor, representing Esan North-East 1 Constituency, was replaced as Deputy Majority Leader by Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene from Igueben Constituency.
Conversion from Resignation to Impeachment
Eight days after the leadership turmoil initially began, on Monday, August 24, the Assembly converted what had been termed Agbebaku’s resignation into a formal impeachment. New Speaker Yekini Idaiye stated that the impeachment notice was endorsed by 17 members of the House. The notice had been presented earlier by the Majority Leader during the previous Monday’s session.
Idaiye explained that the House treated the situation as an impeachment because Agbebaku’s supposed resignation was never officially submitted or documented following his suspension. As a result, he asserted that Agbebaku was indeed impeached instead of having resigned voluntarily.
Lawmakers Pass Impeachment Motion
The formal impeachment motion was initiated by Majority Leader Sunny Ojiezele and seconded by Ahmed Waziri, the member for Etsako Central Constituency. This development intensifies the political strife within the Edo State legislature and raises concerns about the circumstances surrounding the change in leadership.
Agbebaku Directed to Return Government Assets
Declaring Agbebaku’s impeachment, Speaker Idaiye reiterated his suspension from the House and instructed Agbebaku to return all government assets in his possession. Idaiye warned that security forces might be engaged if Agbebaku fails to comply or respond to this order.
This latest action is likely to trigger further political and legal responses as the leadership dispute within the Edo State House of Assembly persists.
