The leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly has changed hands following the resignation of the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, amid reported moves by lawmakers to remove him from office.
Agbebaku reportedly resigned on Monday, August 17, 2026, with his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirming the development in a Facebook post.
Ebojele announced the resignation but did not immediately disclose the circumstances that led to Agbebaku’s decision, saying more information would be provided later.
Following his exit, lawmakers elected Yekini Idiaye, representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, as the new Speaker.
Idiaye, a third-term member of the Assembly, emerged in line with an informal zoning arrangement in the state legislature. Under the arrangement, whenever the governor is elected from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speakership is expected to go to Edo North.
Idiaye, reportedly the longest-serving member from Edo North in the current Assembly, was therefore chosen to lead the legislature.
The arrangement also meant that the Deputy Speaker did not automatically succeed Agbebaku, as would ordinarily have been expected in the event of a vacancy.
Speaking to journalists after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye criticised the leadership of his predecessor, alleging that the Assembly had been hampered by poor administration and corruption.
He accused the former leadership of frequent and unexplained adjournments, including instances where legislative proceedings were suspended for as long as 30 days.
According to him, the situation had negatively affected the work of the state government and created dissatisfaction among lawmakers.
Idiaye said the decision to change the leadership was taken because lawmakers believed a new direction was necessary.
He also pledged the Assembly’s support for Governor Monday Okpebholo, saying the lawmakers would work to ensure that nothing obstructed the governor’s efforts to develop the state.
Meanwhile, members of the Assembly were said to have proceeded to the Edo State Government House to formally brief Governor Okpebholo about the change in leadership.
Efforts to obtain Agbebaku’s reaction were unsuccessful as his telephone line was reportedly busy when contacted. His media aide had also not issued a further statement explaining the former Speaker’s resignation as of the time of filing the report.
