The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from office, citing the need to preserve peace in the state, amid reports of a planned impeachment by lawmakers.

Agbebaku announced his resignation on Monday during plenary, bringing an end to his tenure as presiding officer of the eighth Edo State House of Assembly. His resignation followed reports that 18 of the 24 lawmakers were preparing to remove him from office.

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Addressing his colleagues, Agbebaku said he had been asked to step aside and was unwilling to stand in the way of peace. He said, “The process is that today I have been asked to resign. Because of that, I was supposed to lead the procession here to resign on the red chair. I was not born to be a speaker. I think today I am standing here as a hero.”

The former Speaker also acknowledged the role of Governor Monday Okpebholo in his tenure and said he was prepared to cooperate with any decision aimed at maintaining peace in Edo State. “If he has a decision contrary to giving his government a peaceful trade deal, I think I have no choice but to obey his decision. We want peace in the state. And I have resigned,” he stated. His resignation came amid reports that senior APC figures and allies of the governor had been working to alter the leadership structure of the Assembly. Agbebaku was also reportedly facing criticism over his handling of a nominee the governor wanted the House to clear for an appointment.

Agbebaku Begins Exit Before Plenary

Before the resignation was formally announced, Agbebaku reportedly arrived at the Assembly complex at about 8:00 a.m. and directed his aides to remove his personal belongings from the Speaker’s office.

His belongings were reportedly moved to the office designated for the member representing Owan West Constituency, which is the constituency he represents.

Following the announcement, Deputy Speaker Osamwonyi Atu Osamwonyi presided over the sitting and managed the transition that culminated in the election of a new Speaker.

Yekini Idaiye Emerges New Speaker

With the Speaker’s position vacant, Yekini Idaiye, representing Akoko-Edo I Constituency, was nominated for the position.

Sunny Ojezele, representing Esan South-East Constituency, moved the motion for Idaiye’s nomination, while Eric Okaka, representing Owan East Constituency, seconded it.

Idaiye subsequently secured 17 of the 24 votes cast, making him the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly. He was sworn into office by the Clerk of the House shortly afterwards.

In his acceptance speech, Idaiye promised a new direction for the legislature, saying his administration would focus on effective lawmaking, oversight and the welfare of Edo residents.

He criticised what he described as disruptions to legislative activities and the failure to achieve sufficient legislative results since the inauguration of the eighth Assembly on June 16, 2023.

Idaiye said:

“Very distinguished Honourable Members of the 8th Assembly, recall that on June 16, 2023, when this great Assembly was inaugurated, it came with a burning zest by the 24 wise and Honourable Members to legislate for the common good of our people.”

He, however, alleged that “personal and parochial considerations by a few individuals” had prevented the Assembly from delivering the expected results.

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Idaiye also raised allegations of financial misconduct against the former Speaker, calling for an investigation into claims involving the procurement of Lexus 570 vehicles and Hilux vans.

The new Speaker directed that the allegations be investigated and called on security agencies to prevent Agbebaku from performing official functions associated with the Speaker’s office pending the outcome of the investigation.

The allegations contained in Idaiye’s speech have not been established by a court, and Agbebaku’s response to the specific financial allegations was not included in the material provided.

Idaiye also criticised the disruption of plenary sessions, declaring:

“Parliament is about lawmaking, not a place of social meeting where only one decides when to sit or not to sit as presently practised.”

Principal Officers Also Replaced

The leadership changes extended beyond the Speaker’s office.

A communication read during plenary by Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, who attended the sitting, announced the appointment of Sunday Ojezele as the new Majority Leader, replacing Jonathan Ibhamawu.

Eugene Inegbeboh, representing Igueben Constituency, was appointed Deputy Majority Leader, replacing Adeh Isibor.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) also announced changes within the minority leadership. Uyi Omisigho, representing Oredo West, was named Minority Whip, while Natasha Osawaru Idibia, representing Egor Constituency, was appointed Minority Leader.

Political Significance

The sudden resignation of Agbebaku and the emergence of Idaiye represent a major leadership realignment in the Edo State legislature.

The development also comes against the backdrop of reported disagreements between some lawmakers, the Assembly leadership, the state government and influential figures within the APC.

With a new Speaker and several principal officers now in place, the immediate challenge for the eighth Assembly will be to restore stability, clear outstanding legislative business and demonstrate that the leadership change will translate into more effective lawmaking and oversight.

However, the allegations of misconduct raised against the former Speaker are now expected to become a major issue as the House moves to investigate the claims and determine whether further action is warranted.