Ondo Assembly crisis deepens: 21 lawmakers demand Speaker's resignation over N44 million graft allegations

A significant political crisis is unfolding in Nigeria's Ondo State House of Assembly, where 21 out of 26 lawmakers have issued an ultimatum to Speaker Olamide Oladiji. They demand his resignation over serious allegations of corruption or face impeachment proceedings.

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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.

The core of the dispute centers on accusations that Speaker Oladiji allegedly collected N44 million from the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) on behalf of the assembly members but failed to distribute the funds. Olatunji Fabiyi, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, revealed these details, stating that a resolution was purportedly forged in the members' names without their consent, an act he described as a criminal offense.

Fabiyi insisted that the crisis is an internal matter, driven by the speaker's alleged misconduct, and not orchestrated by the executive branch. He confirmed that the House leadership has briefed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa about the situation. The lawmakers have reportedly signed an impeachment notice and are prepared to proceed with removing the speaker during the next plenary session if he does not resign voluntarily within the given timeframe.

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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.

While the Speaker has denied the allegations, labeling them as false and politically motivated, the 21 lawmakers have secured the statutory two-thirds majority needed for impeachment. They have given the speaker a few more days to step down, emphasizing their determination to see him removed from office. The situation remains tense as the assembly awaits the speaker's response to the ultimatum.

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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 of the one we did before, they were castigating us, saying somebody was sponsoring us.