By: Dr. Dennis Osahon Aikoriogie Edoimioya
The latest political drama in the Edo State House of Assembly has once again raised a fundamental question that every concerned citizen of Edo State has the right to ask:
Who is really governing Edo State? The elected Governor, or a group of unelected political power brokers operating from behind the scenes?
The resignation of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, on Monday, August 17, 2026, followed by the emergence of Hon. Yekini Idiaye as the new Speaker, has opened another troubling chapter in the political administration of our dear state. Reports indicate that Agbebaku resigned amid moves by lawmakers to remove him, while the new Speaker subsequently described the leadership change as necessary to align the legislature with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s developmental agenda.
While the former Speaker has publicly stated that his resignation was for personal reasons and in the interest of peace, other reports have cited alleged impeachment pressure, political differences and accusations made against his leadership.
These conflicting narratives demand more than political explanations. They demand transparency.
IS THE LEGISLATURE STILL INDEPENDENT?
The Edo State House of Assembly is constitutionally an independent arm of government, established to make laws, exercise oversight over the executive and represent the interests of the people.
It must never become an extension of the Governor’s political office.
Therefore, when a Speaker suddenly resigns under circumstances surrounded by political controversy, and a successor immediately takes over, speaks of the need to align the legislature with the Governor’s developmental agenda, Edo people are entitled to ask whether the Assembly is exercising its constitutional independence or merely adjusting itself to the wishes of the executive.
Alignment on development is desirable.
Subordination is not.
A healthy democracy requires cooperation between the executive and legislature, but cooperation must never mean political control.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE POWER?
The greatest danger to democracy is not always the visible politician.
Sometimes, it is the invisible politician.
The unelected individuals who determine appointments, influence legislative decisions, dictate political succession and decide who should remain in office without ever submitting themselves to the judgment of the electorate.
If such individuals exist in Edo State, the people deserve to know who they are and what authority they possess.
The Governor was elected. The lawmakers were elected. But who elected the people allegedly influencing decisions from behind the curtain?
That is the question that must not be suppressed.
The phrase “hidden cabal” should therefore not become an accusation without evidence. It should instead become a democratic question demanding accountability: Who is making the decisions, through what constitutional authority, and in whose interest?
EDO STATE CANNOT BE GOVERNED FROM THE SHADOWS
Governance cannot be reduced to political loyalty, personal allegiance or the ability to control institutions.
The Governor of Edo State has a constitutional mandate entrusted to him by the people. The House of Assembly equally has a constitutional mandate entrusted to its elected members.
Neither mandate belongs to political godfathers, advisers, financiers, party power brokers or unelected interest groups.
If the Speaker must leave his office, let the constitutional procedure speak.
If lawmakers have legitimate grievances, let them state them openly.
If there are allegations of corruption or poor leadership, let credible evidence be presented and appropriate constitutional mechanisms applied.
If there are political disagreements, let them be resolved through democratic dialogue.
Edo State must never return to the era where political decisions are made in private rooms and merely announced to the people as accomplished facts.
THE PEOPLE DESERVE ANSWERS
Governor Monday Okpebholo has reportedly urged the new Assembly leadership to promote transparency, dialogue, inclusiveness and unity, while also saying that whatever happened in the House should remain within the House.
But with due respect, democracy cannot operate on the principle that matters affecting the public should simply remain hidden from the public.
The House belongs to the people.
The Governor’s office belongs to the people.
Public institutions belong to the people.
Therefore, when major political changes occur within these institutions, Edo citizens deserve reasonable explanations.
Not rumours.
Not whispers.
Not political propaganda.
Facts.
THIS IS BIGGER THAN AGBEBAKU
The issue should not be reduced to whether Blessing Agbebaku remains Speaker.
It is about whether the Edo State House of Assembly can freely elect and remove its leadership without external pressure.
It is about whether lawmakers can represent their constituencies without fear.
It is about whether the Governor can govern without unelected individuals controlling the machinery around him.
And ultimately, it is about whether Edo State is being governed according to the Constitution or according to the calculations of political insiders.
If Agbebaku resigned voluntarily, let the circumstances be clear.
If he was pressured, Edo people deserve to know why.
If lawmakers removed him because of genuine allegations, let the allegations be subjected to due process.
If there was political interference, let those responsible be identified.
Democracy cannot survive where accountability ends at the doors of the Government House or is cabals.
A WARNING TO THE GOVERNMENT
This is not a call for confrontation or provocation. It is a call for constitutional democracy.
Governor Okpebholo must understand that his greatest political asset should not be the number of people who can control institutions on his behalf.
His greatest asset should be the confidence of Edo people.
He should therefore ensure that his administration is never perceived as being controlled by invisible political forces.
Because once citizens begin to believe that the Governor is merely the face of a government controlled from behind the scenes, the legitimacy of the entire administration begins to suffer.
EDO PEOPLE ARE WATCHING
The people of Edo State are watching.
They are watching the roads.
They are watching the schools.
They are watching the hospitals.
They are watching employment opportunities.
They are watching security.
They are watching public spending.
And now, they are watching the political management of the State House of Assembly.
The opposition will continue to ask the uncomfortable questions that those in power may prefer to avoid.
Who is governing Edo State?
Is it the Governor elected by the people?
Is it the elected members of the Edo State House of Assembly?
Or are there unelected political actors whose influence is greater than their constitutional authority?
These questions are not acts of rebellion.
They are the legitimate questions of citizens in a democracy.
Edo State deserves a government that operates in the full light of the day, not one whose most important decisions appear to emerge from political shadows.
The Governor must govern.
The Assembly must legislate.
The judiciary must adjudicate.
And the people must remain sovereign.
No cabal, visible or invisible, should ever become more powerful than the people of Edo State.
Edo belongs to Edo people. Not to political cabals. Edo State must be great again.
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