Edo Ex-Speaker Agbebaku Rejects Impeachment Claim, Says He Resigned Voluntarily
Former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has rejected the claim that he was impeached, insisting that he voluntarily resigned from the position.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, made his position known after lawmakers reportedly treated his earlier resignation as an impeachment during plenary on Monday, August 24.
In a statement titled “Setting the Record Straight: I Resigned, I Was Not Impeached,” the former Speaker said his resignation was formally submitted and publicly announced on August 17.
Agbebaku Says Resignation Was Personally Submitted
Agbebaku said he personally handed his signed resignation letter to the Majority Leader of the House, Sunny Ojiezele, who subsequently presented it to the Deputy Speaker, Atu Osawonyi, who was presiding over the sitting.
He maintained that his resignation was not merely contained in a written document but was also announced by him during plenary.
According to the former Speaker, the proceedings were witnessed by lawmakers and covered by television stations and other media organisations.
He argued that the available documents and video footage clearly show that he resigned from the leadership position.
Edo Assembly Had Treated Resignation as Impeachment
The dispute followed the House’s proceedings on August 24, when lawmakers converted Agbebaku’s resignation into an impeachment.
The Majority Leader reportedly questioned whether the resignation letter had complied with the required parliamentary procedure.
A motion was subsequently moved and seconded by Ahmed Oshioma Waziri, representing Etsako Central Constituency, leading to the House treating the development as an impeachment.
Agbebaku has now strongly disputed that interpretation.
‘Resignation and Impeachment Are Not the Same’
The former Speaker said there was a clear difference between voluntarily stepping down and being removed through impeachment.
He expressed concern over reports circulating on social media which, according to him, were attempting to present his resignation as an impeachment.
Agbebaku said political narratives should not be allowed to override documented events, stressing that the circumstances surrounding his departure were already supported by his resignation letter and his public address during plenary.
He also explained that his decision to leave the Speaker’s position was made in the interest of peace, progress and the development of Edo State and his Owan West Constituency.
Agbebaku Remains Edo Assembly Member
Despite leaving the Speaker’s position, Agbebaku stressed that he remains a duly elected member of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Owan West Constituency.
He said he would continue to focus on effective representation for his constituents and remain committed to the progress of Edo State.
Agbebaku also reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“For the avoidance of doubt and for the sake of history and posterity, on 17th August 2026, I voluntarily resigned as Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly. I was not impeached,” he said.
The former Speaker maintained that the resignation letter, plenary proceedings, video footage and media reports provide evidence of what happened and urged that the record be allowed to speak for itself.
