By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) on Monday, 17th August, 2026 was thrown into a day of drama as the 8th Assembly witnessed the resignation and immediate suspension of the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.
The9jaTREND reports that the day also saw the election of a new Speaker, the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Hon. Yekini Idaiye.
The chaotic plenary began with procedural disputes as members debated who had the authority to preside.
After a motion to reconvene was moved and seconded, the House turned to what members described as “very serious business.”
Consequently, the Deputy Speaker, member representing Orhionmwon East Constituency, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi presided over the sitting.
Blessing Agbebaku, the sitting speaker representing Owan West Constituency addressed the House and announced his resignation.
He said: “I agree with all of you. The process is that today I have been asked to resign. Because of that, I was supposed to lead the procession here to resign on the red chair.
“I was not born to be a speaker. I think today I am standing here as a hero.”
Agbebaku thanked the governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo for his support, stating that “if he has a decision contrary to giving his government a peaceful trade deal, “I think I have no choice but to obey his decision.” “We want peace in the state. And I have resigned,” he added
Despite interruptions and calls for order, the House conducted a voice vote and members chorused “Aye” to accept the resignation.
Immediately after accepting the resignation, the House resolved to suspend the former Speaker to allow for investigation.
Citing “personal and parochial consideration by few individuals,” “personal interest, corruption, poor leadership and failure to uphold the oath of office sworn to,” the House said: “To ensure that this weight of allegations, among others which is inflating the prices of purchasing the Lexus 570 Jeeps and Hilux vehicles, against the former speaker
To thorough thoroughly investigated and uninterrupted, hence the suspension of the former speaker, pending when these allegations are fully looked into.”
The House further directed that “all documents and paraphernalia of office in his possession are to be handed over to the Clerk of the House” and that “all political office holders attached to his office are hereby dissolved.”
Security agencies were mandated to ensure “no official status of the office of Mr. Speaker is accorded to or performed by the suspended Speaker Agbebaku.
Following the vacancy, Sunny Ojiezele, member representing Esan South-East Constituency nominated Edaiye Akoko-Edo 1 for the position of Speaker. The nomination was seconded by Eric Okaka member representing Owan East Constituency.
The motion was carried with a voice vote of “Aye.” The Clerk of the House then administered the Oath of Office to the new Speaker.
In his remarks, the new Speaker, Hon. Yekini Edaiye
said the change was necessary for “better legislative work and effective application of parliamentary practice that is devoid of personal interest, corruption, poor leadership and failure to uphold the oath of office sworn to.”
He condemned the past leadership, saying “Never again shall a blind and greedy man be allowed to lead this robust assembly.”
The House also received a letter from the All Progressives Congress (APC), announcing changes in the Majority Caucus.
According to the letter signed by APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, Jonathan Ibawamu was relieved as Majority Leader and succeeded by Sunny Ojiezele (Esan South-East), Adeh Isibor (Esan North-East 1) was relieved as Deputy Majority Leader and succeeded by Eugene Inegbeboh (Igueben).