EDO ASSEMBLY FORMALLY REMOVES SUSPENDED EX-SPEAKER AGBEBAKU FROM OFFICE

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly has taken another turn, as lawmakers on Monday formally impeached the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.

Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, had on August 17, 2026, announced his resignation as Speaker, after which Yekini Idaiye, representing Akoko-Edo I Constituency, was elected to replace him.

Following his resignation, the Assembly suspended Agbebaku indefinitely.

The lawmakers also removed two other principal officers from their positions. Jonathan Ibhamawu was removed as Majority Leader, while Addeh Emankhu Isibor was sacked as Deputy Majority Leader.

Ibhamawu, who represents Esan West Constituency, was replaced by Ojiezele Osezua Sunday of Esan South-East Constituency, while Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene of Igueben Constituency took over from Addeh Isibor, who represents Esan North-East I Constituency.

However, at Monday’s plenary, August 24, the Assembly converted Agbebaku’s earlier resignation to an impeachment, eight days after the crisis erupted.

The new Speaker, Yekini Idaiye, said 17 lawmakers had signed the impeachment notice, which was formally presented by the Majority Leader during the previous Monday’s sitting.

Idaiye explained that the decision to impeach Agbebaku followed the failure to officially present and document his resignation notice after he was suspended.

The Speaker insisted that Agbebaku was impeached and did not resign from office.

The motion for his formal impeachment was moved by the Majority Leader, Sunny Ojiezele, and seconded by the member representing Etsako Central Constituency, Ahmed Waziri.

While noting that Agbebaku remained suspended, Idaiye directed him to return all government property in his possession.

He warned that security agencies would be called in if the former Speaker failed to comply with the directive or respond to the Assembly.