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Ondo Assembly crisis deepens as 24 lawmakers back Speaker’s removal
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Ondo Assembly crisis deepens as 24 lawmakers back Speaker’s removal

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • 24 out of 26 lawmakers in Ondo State House of Assembly support the Speaker's removal.
  • The lawmakers accuse Speaker Olamide Oladiji of financial misconduct and abuse of office.
  • The Speaker denies the allegations, calling the move politically motivated.

A leadership crisis has intensified within the Ondo State House of Assembly, with 24 out of 26 lawmakers reportedly backing the removal of Speaker Olamide Oladiji. The legislators accuse him of financial impropriety, specifically concerning approximately ₦44 million allegedly linked to the reordering of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget.

Hon. Olawunmi Fayemi-Obayelu, representing Ilaje Constituency II, stated that three more lawmakers joined the impeachment effort, bringing the total to 24. She emphasized that this signifies the Speaker has lost the confidence of the majority. The lawmakers had paused public comments to allow Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's intervention for reconciliation, but this peace window expires soon, and they remain committed to the removal.

the latest development indicates that the Speaker has lost the confidence of the overwhelming majority of members.

— Hon. Olawunmi Fayemi-ObayeluExplaining the increased support for the Speaker's removal.

Fayemi-Obayelu also accused Oladiji of issuing a House resolution without member approval and raised concerns about the handling of electricity meters under the state's O’Datiwa Meter Distribution Programme. She urged the Speaker to resign to protect the Assembly's interests and his reputation.

the impeachment move as politically motivated.

— Rt. Hon. Olamide OladijiThe Speaker's denial of allegations and his view on the reasons behind the impeachment attempt.

In response, Speaker Oladiji denied all allegations, characterizing the impeachment move as politically motivated and tied to 2027 election calculations. He suggested dissatisfaction among some lawmakers over failed return tickets and their unhappiness with support for his continued leadership.

However, Hon. Olatunji Fabiyi, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, rejected the Speaker's claims. Fabiyi insisted the impeachment was driven by governance and accountability issues, alleging the Speaker breached legislative procedure by reordering the OSOPADEC budget without House approval. The lawmakers' stance on the removal remains firm despite interventions by Governor Aiyedatiwa and APC leaders.

the impeachment move was based on issues of governance and accountability.

— Hon. Olatunji FabiyiRejecting the Speaker's claims and reaffirming the lawmakers' reasons for seeking his removal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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