Members of the Edo State House of Assembly have impeached Blessing Agbebaku as speaker after rejecting his earlier resignation from the position.
Agbebaku resigned as speaker on August 17 amid reports of moves by lawmakers to remove him from office.
Following his resignation, Yekini Idiayi, representing Akoko Edo II constituency, was sworn in as the new speaker.
However, during the assembly’s resumed sitting on Monday, Idiayi announced that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had rejected Agbebaku’s resignation and instead signed a notice seeking his impeachment.
The new speaker said the impeachment notice had been presented by Sunny Ojiezele, the House Majority Leader, during the previous Monday’s plenary.
Following the announcement, Ojiezele reportedly moved a motion for Agbebaku’s impeachment, which was seconded by Ahmed Waziri, another member of the assembly.
Idiayi subsequently declared that Agbebaku should be regarded as having been impeached rather than having resigned from office.
He also directed the former speaker to return all government property in his possession, warning that security agencies would be called in if he failed to comply.
Background
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West constituency, was elected Speaker of the eighth Edo State House of Assembly in June 2023.
His difficulties within the assembly began in May 2024 after he suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to remove him and other principal officers.
Agbebaku reportedly attributed the alleged impeachment plan to external influence and claims that charms and ritual items were being brought into the assembly complex.
The suspended lawmakers, who were allies of former Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and 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 followed calls from some APC figures for his removal, with critics citing his PDP background, previous campaign activities and preference for an “original” APC speaker from his zone.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, however, reportedly supported Agbebaku’s continued leadership, citing his loyalty and contribution to advancing the governor’s agenda.