The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has stepped in to halt an ongoing move by lawmakers to remove the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, temporarily easing a deepening leadership crisis within the legislature.
Despite suspending the planned impeachment process, members of the Assembly have established a committee to audit the legislature’s finances as scrutiny over its financial management intensifies.
Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Tunji Fabiyi, disclosed the development while briefing journalists in Akure on Thursday after a parliamentary session.
According to Fabiyi, lawmakers have resolved to await the outcome of consultations by the APC leadership before taking any further action against the Speaker.
“We are still waiting for the leadership of the party. We cannot proceed further until the party gives us direction, so the matter is pending,” he said.
The crisis escalated after 21 lawmakers demanded Oladiji’s resignation or threatened to remove him over allegations of misconduct and the alleged mishandling of a N44 million financial package from the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
The Speaker is also accused of unilaterally altering the commission’s proposed 2026 budget for personal benefit.
Oladiji has dismissed all allegations, insisting they are false, politically motivated and insufficient to warrant his resignation.
Meanwhile, OSOPADEC has distanced itself from the controversy.
Through its spokesperson, Godson Ewata, the commission rejected attempts to associate it with the political dispute, describing ongoing reports and social media narratives linking it to the Assembly crisis as a campaign of misinformation.
The commission warned that further attempts to drag its name into matters beyond its statutory responsibilities would be viewed as deliberate efforts to mislead the public, tarnish its reputation and undermine confidence in its leadership.
The latest development comes amid broader allegations surrounding the Assembly.
A civic organisation recently petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the anti-graft agency to investigate senior Assembly officials over alleged forgery and fraudulent alteration of the N70 billion OSOPADEC 2025 budget.
Fabiyi explained that although lawmakers had reiterated their demand for the Speaker’s removal during Wednesday’s parliamentary session, where both Oladiji and his deputy were absent, members decided to suspend further action pending the party’s intervention.
He stressed that while the executive arm of government had not interfered in the matter, it was appropriate for the APC to mediate because all 26 members of the Assembly belong to the ruling party.
“It is normal for the party to intervene because we are all members of the same family. The APC has total control of the Ondo State House of Assembly.
“Our father should call all his sons together to discuss whatever crisis has arisen so that it can be resolved. Our father will not prefer one person at the expense of the other 26 members,” Fabiyi said.
He added that the Assembly reconvened in response to public concerns over its prolonged inactivity and reassured residents that lawmakers remained committed to carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
Beyond the leadership dispute, the House deliberated on constituency projects, recurring flooding in riverine communities and other developmental challenges affecting the state.
Lawmakers also resolved to establish an audit committee to examine the Assembly’s financial and administrative records and recommend necessary corrective measures.
The Assembly subsequently adjourned for about two weeks while directing all standing committees to resume their oversight responsibilities.
Confirming the intervention, Ondo APC Secretary Alex Kalejaye said the dispute stemmed largely from divisions created during the party’s last primary elections.
He said the party was determined to reconcile aggrieved factions and restore unity ahead of the next general election.
Kalejaye expressed confidence that all interests within the party would be accommodated through dialogue, assuring that the leadership crisis in the Assembly would be resolved amicably.
