Move throws Edo House of Assembly into fresh leadership crisis as lawmakers prepare for a new Speaker
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chief Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, has resigned from office, throwing the state legislature into a fresh leadership crisis.
Agbebaku resigned on Monday, August 17, 2026, amid reported moves by some members of the House to remove him from the Speakership.
His resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, who announced the development on Facebook.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS,” she stated, adding that further details on the circumstances surrounding his resignation would be made public later.
The development comes at a sensitive time for the Edo State House of Assembly, where the question of its leadership has again become a major political issue.
Although the immediate reasons behind Agbebaku’s decision to resign have not been fully disclosed, the resignation followed moves by some lawmakers to impeach him.
The development means that the Edo Assembly will now have to begin the process of selecting another lawmaker to occupy the powerful position of Speaker.
The Speaker is the principal officer of the House and presides over legislative proceedings, controls the business of the Assembly and plays a major role in determining how legislative matters are handled.
Agbebaku’s sudden exit therefore represents more than a change of office. It could have wider political implications for the relationship between lawmakers, the executive arm of government and the various political interests operating within Edo State.
The circumstances surrounding the reported impeachment moves are yet to be officially explained by the Edo State House of Assembly.
There has also been no detailed public statement from Agbebaku himself explaining why he chose to resign at this particular time.
The resignation nevertheless raises questions about the level of disagreement within the legislature and whether the former Speaker’s decision was aimed at preventing an open impeachment battle on the floor of the House.
Rather than waiting for lawmakers to vote on his removal, Agbebaku has now voluntarily stepped aside.
That decision could reduce the immediate tension inside the chamber, but it also leaves several political questions unanswered.
The Edo Assembly has in recent years been at the centre of political developments in the state, with changes in political control and disagreements among lawmakers frequently attracting public attention.
The latest leadership crisis comes under a new political administration in Edo State led by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Assembly is expected to move quickly to stabilise its leadership and ensure that legislative business does not suffer because of the change.
The next Speaker will inherit an Assembly facing several responsibilities, including lawmaking, oversight of government ministries and agencies, approval of government proposals and representation of constituents across Edo State.
The choice of a new Speaker will therefore be closely watched by political stakeholders.
It is also expected to generate serious political calculations among lawmakers and party leaders, particularly over who has the numbers and political backing to emerge.
For now, the biggest immediate fact is clear: Blessing Agbebaku is no longer the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
His resignation has ended the immediate question of whether lawmakers would successfully impeach him, but it has opened another question — who will control the Edo Assembly next?
The coming days are likely to reveal whether the resignation will bring stability to the House or trigger another round of political manoeuvring over the leadership of the legislature.
The Edo State Government and political stakeholders will also be watching closely as lawmakers begin discussions on Agbebaku’s replacement.
Until the Assembly formally elects a new Speaker, attention will remain fixed on the chamber and the lawmakers whose decisions will determine the next chapter of Edo State’s legislative leadership.
IBN NEWS understands that further details surrounding the resignation, including the political circumstances that led to the decision, are expected to emerge as lawmakers begin consultations over the next Speaker.
IBN NEWS — Fearless, Strong & Reliable.
