Mujeeb Akindoyin
The Edo State House of Assembly has impeached its immediate past Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, after rejecting his resignation from the leadership of the legislature.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, had resigned as Speaker on August 17 amid reports of an impending move by lawmakers to remove him from office.
However, the Assembly, at its resumed plenary on Monday, declared that his exit amounted to impeachment after 17 of the 24 lawmakers reportedly rejected his resignation and endorsed an impeachment notice against him.
The development was announced by the new Speaker of the Assembly, Yekini Idiayi, who represents Akoko Edo II Constituency.
Idiayi said the impeachment notice had been presented by the Majority Leader, Sunny Ojiezele, during the previous Monday’s sitting.
He explained that after the notice was presented, Ojiezele moved a motion for Agbebaku’s impeachment, which was seconded by another lawmaker, Ahmed Waziri.
According to the Speaker, the development effectively meant that Agbebaku was removed from office through impeachment rather than resignation.
The Assembly subsequently directed the former Speaker to return all government property in his possession.
Idiayi warned that security agencies would be invited to recover the government property should Agbebaku fail to comply with the directive.
Agbebaku was elected Speaker of the eighth Edo State House of Assembly in June 2023.
His tenure had been characterised by political tensions within the legislature, including an earlier confrontation with some lawmakers over an alleged plot to remove him from office.
In May 2024, Agbebaku suspended three lawmakers following allegations that they were plotting his removal and that of other principal officers of the Assembly.
The suspended lawmakers denied the allegations and described their suspension as politically motivated.
Agbebaku had also alleged that external forces were influencing the crisis and claimed that charms and ritual objects were being brought into the Assembly complex.
The controversy deepened the political divisions within the House, particularly as the suspended lawmakers were linked to former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Agbebaku later defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in May 2025.
His defection, however, did not completely end calls for his removal, as some APC interests reportedly questioned his previous political affiliation and campaign activities and demanded the emergence of an “original” APC member as Speaker.
Governor Monday Okpebholo was said to have supported Agbebaku’s continued leadership at the time, citing his loyalty and contribution to the administration’s
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
