The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Yekini Idiaye, has explained the reasons behind the move by lawmakers that forced his predecessor, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, to resign as Speaker.
Addressing journalists shortly after plenary on Monday, August 17, 2026, Idiaye cited poor leadership, financial corruption and erratic adjournments as the core reasons behind the decision by the Edo lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings, which eventually led to Agbebaku’s exit.
Among other reasons which forced the former Speaker to resign from office include alleged corruption, prolonged adjournment and slow-paced legislation.
The new Speaker stated that the 8th Assembly had faced persistent corruption issues under Agbebaku’s tenure since its inauguration on June 16, 2023.
He also complained about frequent, uncalled-for legislative halts, alleging that plenary was sometimes adjourned for up to 30 days without cause, hindering government business.
Idiaye noted that the previous leadership style was actively drawing the progress of the state government backward.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that before the former Speaker’s resignation, 18 out of the 24 members of the Edo State House of Assembly, exceeded the required two-third majority of 16 lawmakers, had already signed an impeachment notice against Agbebaku.