Tensions in the Ondo State House of Assembly escalated on Friday after 12 lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence in the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, signalling the start of impeachment proceedings.
The lawmakers, who make up nearly half of the 26-member legislature, accused Oladiji of gross misconduct and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an urgent investigation into alleged diversion of public funds.
The crisis erupted earlier in the week when several lawmakers staged a walkout to protest Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s ₦531 billion supplementary budget. They accused the Speaker of attempting to rush the bill through despite what they described as the poor performance of the 2025 budget, with less than two months left in the financial year.
Among those who signed the impeachment notice are Jide Oguntodu (Akure South 1), Temitope Akomolafe (Ifedore), Fatai Atere (Akoko North/West 1), Toyin Japhet (Akoko North East), Raymond Daodu (Akoko South West 1) and Samuel Ifabiyi (Odigbo 1).
Others include Babatunde Fasonu (Odigbo 2), Oluwatosin Ogunlowo (Idanre), Afe Felix (Akoko North/West 2), Nelson Akinsuroju (Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo), Akinruntan Abayomi (Ilaje 1) and Stephen Abitogun (Akure South 2).
The group alleges that Oladiji diverted ₦50 million earmarked for a public hearing and misappropriated the House’s monthly operational grants. They said his actions violated multiple provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including prohibitions against abuse of office, as well as sections of the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance.
They also cited potential breaches of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the Criminal Code Act, insisting that the offences amount to gross misconduct under Section 188(11) of the Constitution and undermine the integrity of the Assembly.
Reacting to the move, an aide to the Speaker, who requested anonymity, dismissed the impeachment threat as “a political storm in a teacup,” insisting it “is dead on arrival.”
