The political crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly has intensified, with a majority of lawmakers issuing a Sunday deadline to Speaker Olamide Oladiji to resign or face impeachment over allegations of financial misconduct.
Twenty-one of the 26 members of the Assembly have reportedly endorsed an impeachment notice against the Speaker, accusing him of diverting N44 million allocated for the reordering of the budget of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, said the lawmakers had resolved to remove Oladiji from office but decided to give him an opportunity to resign before commencing impeachment proceedings during the next plenary session.
According to Fabiyi, the Assembly leadership had briefed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the decision to avoid speculation that external forces were influencing the lawmakers.
“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,” Fabiyi said.
He explained that the delegation informed the governor that the move was solely based on the Speaker’s alleged actions and not driven by political interests.
“We took the resolution of members to Mr Governor because people had accused us previously of being sponsored. This time, we wanted him to know that this issue is entirely about the Speaker’s conduct, and we no longer have confidence in his leadership,” he stated.
Fabiyi disclosed that although Governor Aiyedatiwa requested more time to intervene, the lawmakers had agreed to extend the deadline only until Sunday.
He alleged that the controversy stemmed from the reordering of the OSOPADEC budget, claiming a resolution was prepared in the names of lawmakers without their knowledge or approval.
“A resolution was written in the name of members without our consent. It claimed we had deliberated and agreed to it, which was not true. That is a criminal offence. You cannot make such decisions behind our backs,” Fabiyi said.
He warned that anyone attempting to shield the Speaker from accountability would be aiding the alleged wrongdoing.
“We are giving him until Sunday. If he refuses to resign, we will remove him,” he declared.
The Assembly spokesman added that lawmakers would reconvene during the next plenary sitting to determine the Speaker’s fate if he remained in office.
The latest development follows allegations raised earlier this week by an Assembly member, who spoke anonymously, accusing the Speaker and his deputy of diverting N44 million earmarked for the OSOPADEC budget reordering exercise.
The lawmaker also alleged that the budget was reordered without consulting the majority of Assembly members.
“We want him to resign honourably. If he refuses, we will impeach him on the floor of the House. Twenty-one members have already signed the impeachment notice,” the lawmaker said.
He revealed that the impeachment process began about three weeks ago but was delayed following efforts by Governor Aiyedatiwa to mediate the dispute.
“The governor has been speaking with us, which is why we held back. But after our meeting, he advised the Speaker to resign. We have made our decision,” the source added.
When contacted for his reaction, Speaker Oladiji dismissed the allegations, insisting he was unaware of any impeachment notice and denying knowledge of the claims against him.
The unfolding dispute sets the stage for what could become one of the most significant leadership battles in the Ondo State House of Assembly in recent years, with the Speaker’s political future expected to be decided when lawmakers reconvene after the expiration of the ultimatum.
