The Edo State House of Assembly has formally impeached its former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, just eight days after he resigned from the position amid mounting pressure from lawmakers.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency I, resigned as Speaker on August 17, 2026, as lawmakers were reportedly moving to remove him from office. He had maintained at the time that his resignation was motivated by personal reasons and a desire to preserve peace in the state and protect the interests of his constituents.
The Assembly nevertheless proceeded with the impeachment process and formally announced his removal on Monday, August 24.
The development has deepened the political drama surrounding the leadership crisis in the Edo legislature, which had already produced a new Speaker following Agbebaku’s resignation.
Yekini Idiaye, representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, emerged as Speaker after Agbebaku’s departure. Before the resignation, reports indicated that 17 of the Assembly’s 24 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against Agbebaku, suggesting that the former Speaker had lost substantial support within the chamber.
Agbebaku, however, rejected the suggestion that his resignation was caused by a breakdown in relations with his colleagues. In his explanation, he said he had maintained cordial relationships with the other lawmakers and that his decision was taken in the interest of peace, Edo State and his Owan West constituency.
The new Speaker subsequently offered a different account of the circumstances surrounding Agbebaku’s removal.
Idiaye accused the former Speaker’s administration of poor leadership and alleged corruption, including prolonged adjournments of legislative proceedings. Those allegations remain claims and have not, by themselves, established wrongdoing against Agbebaku.
The Assembly has also established a five-member ad hoc committee to investigate issues surrounding the former Speaker’s tenure, including matters concerning the finances of the House. The committee has pledged to conduct its work transparently and without vendetta.
The latest impeachment therefore raises questions about why lawmakers proceeded with the formal removal of a Speaker who had already resigned from the office.
While the Assembly’s action may have been intended to formally resolve outstanding political and administrative issues surrounding Agbebaku’s tenure, it also highlights the intensity of the internal disagreement that preceded his departure.
The leadership change has occurred at a particularly sensitive period for the Edo legislature. The new administration under Governor Monday Okpebholo is working with a newly constituted Assembly leadership, and the stability of the relationship between the executive and legislative arms will remain important to the state’s governance.
Concerns have already emerged over another issue involving the Assembly: financial autonomy for the legislature and judiciary.
Assembly workers and lawyers recently protested reports that lawmakers were considering changes to the state’s financial autonomy arrangements. The new Speaker subsequently said the intention was to amend, rather than repeal, the relevant laws.
Against this backdrop, the impeachment of Agbebaku adds another layer of political uncertainty to the state’s legislative affairs.
For the former Speaker, the immediate issue is likely to be the investigation into allegations made against his administration. For the new Assembly leadership, the challenge will be demonstrating that the change in leadership will translate into a more stable, transparent and effective legislature.
The episode also underscores the need for clear institutional procedures when dealing with leadership disputes within elected legislative bodies.
As the investigation progresses, attention will turn to whether the allegations against Agbebaku can be substantiated and whether the Assembly’s actions will withstand public and legal scrutiny.
For now, Edo has a new Speaker, while Agbebaku has formally lost his former legislative leadership position after an extraordinary sequence of events: resignation under impeachment pressure, followed eight days later by formal impeachment.
