Edo Assembly Speaker Blessing Agbebaku Ousted, Deputy Speaker Idiaye Sworn In
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, was compelled to vacate his office contrary to reports suggesting a voluntary resignation.
Reliable sources within the Assembly disclosed that both Agbebaku and the Majority Leader, Jonathan Ibhamawu, were forced to step down following intense pressure from members, allegedly orchestrated by the executive arm of government. The two lawmakers were subsequently suspended indefinitely during a plenary session that lasted less than 30 minutes.
Agbebaku, representing Owan West Constituency, reportedly bowed to mounting pressure after aggrieved legislators initiated an impeachment process against him. To avert a full‑blown constitutional crisis within the Assembly, he opted for a “soft landing” by tendering his resignation. Ibhamawu, representing Esan West Constituency, was also removed and suspended alongside him.
Presiding over the sitting, Deputy Speaker Yekini Idiaye (Akoko‑Edo II Constituency) was sworn in as the new Speaker, with the Clerk of the House administering the oath of office.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Idiaye accused Agbebaku of poor leadership and corruption, citing prolonged adjournments and alleged mismanagement since the Assembly’s inauguration in June 2023. He asserted that the former Speaker’s leadership style had undermined legislative efficiency and governance in the state.
Following his emergence, Idiaye ordered the indefinite suspension of Agbebaku and Ibhamawu, directing them to surrender all official documents in their possession.
The House also elected new principal officers:
● Ojiezele Osezua Sunday (Esan South‑East Constituency) – Majority Leader
● Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene (Esan North‑East I Constituency) – Deputy Majority Leader
● Natasha Osawaru Irobosa (Egor Constituency, NDC) – Minority Leader
This leadership overhaul has significantly reconfigured the power dynamics of the 8th Edo State House of Assembly, raising constitutional and political questions about executive influence over legislative independence.
