{
  "id": 1620547,
  "title": "Edo State Speaker, Agbebaku, Forced Out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/edo-state-speaker-agbebaku-forced-out",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T02:38:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/08/18/edo-state-speaker-agbebaku-forced-out/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Edo State, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has been forced out of his position, contrary to reports suggesting he had resigned. Lawmakers close to the House disclosed that Agbebaku and Majority Leader, Jonathan Ibhamawu, were compelled to resign due to intense pressure from their fellow members. This pressure was reportedly orchestrated by the executive. Both Agbebaku and Ibhamawu were suspended indefinitely during a brief plenary session on Monday, which lasted under 30 minutes. Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, reportedly succumbed to pressure as aggrieved lawmakers initiated an impeachment plot against him. To prevent a major legislative crisis, the Speaker opted for a \"soft-landing\" by stepping down from his position. Ibhamawu, representing Esan West Constituency, was also removed and suspended alongside Agbebaku. During the session, the Deputy Speaker, Yekini Idaiyi from Akoko-Edo II Constituency, was sworn in as the new Speaker. The House subsequently elected new key officers: Ojiezele Osezua Sunday from Esan South-East Constituency as Majority Leader, Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene from Esan North-East I as Deputy Majority Leader, and Natasha Osawaru Irobosa from Egor Constituency (NDC) as Minority Leader. This leadership change has restructured the power dynamics within the 8th Edo State Assembly.",
  "summary": "Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin There were indications, yesterday, that the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Blessing Agbenaku, was forced out as Speaker contrary to reports that he has",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}