Ondo Assembly Crisis Deepens as Lawmakers Give Speaker Resignation Deadline

The leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly intensified on Wednesday after a majority of lawmakers reportedly gave Speaker Olamide Oladiji until Sunday to voluntarily resign or face impeachment over allegations of financial misconduct.

No fewer than 21 of the 26 lawmakers are said to have endorsed an impeachment notice against the Speaker, accusing him of illegally handling funds connected with the reordering of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget.

Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, confirmed that the lawmakers had resolved to remove the Speaker but decided to allow him a few days to step down before initiating impeachment proceedings at the next plenary.

According to Fabiyi, the lawmakers also briefed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on their decision to avoid claims that external forces were behind the move.

“We have resolved that Mr Speaker should go. But in the wisdom of the leadership of the House, we felt we should meet with Mr Governor.

“And we have taken the resolution of the members to Mr Governor. Because the one we did before, they were castigating us, saying somebody was sponsoring us.”

He insisted that the crisis was entirely an internal legislative matter and not politically motivated.

“So, to avoid that, the leadership of the House went to Mr Governor to tell him that this one is not about him. This is what Mr Speaker has done, and we don’t want him anymore. He is the one leading us, and we don’t want him to lead us again.

“Twenty-one members have signed for his removal. But in the wisdom of the leadership of the House, not to make it appear as if we are striking too quickly, we went to Mr Governor.”

Fabiyi disclosed that although the governor requested additional time, the lawmakers remained determined to proceed if the Speaker failed to resign.

He alleged that the controversy stemmed from the handling of the OSOPADEC budget, claiming a resolution was prepared and presented in the names of lawmakers without their consent.

“Mr Governor requested some time. On this issue, we don’t have any problem with Mr Governor. It is about the OSOPADEC budget. A resolution was written in the name of members without our knowledge. It was stated that members had sat down and agreed to it, and that it was our resolution, which it was not.

“It is a criminal offence. You cannot shave our heads behind our backs. That is what we are fighting for.

“So, if somebody is protecting him, it means that person is aiding and abetting him. We are giving him till Sunday. If he fails to resign, we will remove him.”

The House spokesman said lawmakers would reconvene during the next plenary session to determine the next course of action if the Speaker remained in office.

The latest development follows allegations made earlier this week by a member of the Assembly, who accused the Speaker and his deputy of diverting N44 million earmarked for the reordering of the OSOPADEC budget.

The lawmaker, who spoke anonymously, also alleged that the budget adjustments were carried out without the knowledge or approval of other members of the House.

Confirming the impeachment move, the legislator said the Assembly had already secured overwhelming support for the Speaker’s removal.

“Yes, we are removing him. We just want him to resign honourably and, if he fails to do so, we will impeach him on the floor of the House. We have initiated an impeachment notice, and 21 members have already signed.

“We started the process about three weeks ago, but the governor has been talking to us, which is why we delayed it. But now, the governor has advised him to resign when we met with him. So, we are removing him.”

However, Speaker Oladiji dismissed the allegations when contacted, denying any wrongdoing and stating that he was unaware of any impeachment notice against him.

The unfolding crisis has heightened political tension within the Ondo State House of Assembly as attention now shifts to whether the Speaker will heed the lawmakers’ demand to resign before Sunday’s deadline or face impeachment proceedings.