The Edo State House of Assembly has formally impeached its suspended Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, eight days after he announced his resignation from office, deepening the leadership crisis that has rocked the state legislature.
The lawmakers announced the decision on Monday, rejecting the position that Agbebaku had voluntarily left office and instead declaring that he had been removed through impeachment.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency in the Assembly, had resigned amid mounting pressure and an impeachment move by his colleagues. Reports indicate that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against him before his resignation.
The latest development formally brings Agbebaku’s tenure as Speaker to an end, with the Assembly now led by Yekini Idiaye, who was elected Speaker after Agbebaku’s departure from the leadership.
The House also directed the former Speaker to return all government property in his possession. It warned that security agencies could be called in if he failed to comply with the directive.
The dramatic turn of events follows a turbulent period within the Assembly, with lawmakers previously accusing Agbebaku of misconduct and pushing for his removal.
The impeachment, coming just eight days after his resignation, is expected to further fuel debate over the circumstances surrounding the leadership crisis and the events that led to the former Speaker’s removal.
For now, the Assembly has moved to consolidate its new leadership under Idiaye as attention shifts to restoring stability and ensuring the legislature continues its constitutional responsibilities.
