Ondo Assembly Spokesperson Insists Impeachment Process Against Speaker is Active

The political landscape in Ondo State remains turbulent as the spokesperson for the State House of Assembly, Olatunji Ifabiyi, insists that the impeachment process against Speaker Olamide Oladiji is actively underway. Ifabiyi's statements directly contradict claims that the process has been halted, asserting that lawmakers have not abandoned their plans to remove the Speaker.

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We have been hearing reports that we have stopped the process; that is not correct. It is misinformation. We are still on it. He cannot continue as our Speaker.

In a telephone interview, Ifabiyi dismissed reports suggesting the abandonment of the impeachment proceedings as "misinformation." He emphasized that the lawmakers' resolve to impeach Oladiji remains firm, stating, "He cannot continue as our Speaker. Although Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been speaking with some of us, that does not stop the impeachment process. There is no going back."

However, Speaker Olamide Oladiji has refuted these claims, denying the existence of any active impeachment process. He stated that the underlying issues that triggered the crisis have been resolved through the intervention of the state governor and leaders of the All Progressives Congress. Oladiji indicated that a parliamentary meeting was expected, suggesting a return to normalcy.

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Although Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been speaking with some of us, that does not stop the impeachment process. There is no going back.

Oladiji also addressed a separate incident involving visitors at the Assembly complex, explaining it as a misunderstanding concerning recruitment form collection that was quickly resolved. He asserted that there was no impeachment notice or process, attributing the confusion to the presence of his guests. This conflicting information highlights a significant division within the Ondo State Assembly regarding the Speaker's leadership.

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There is nothing like an impeachment process because the issues have been resolved. No impeachment. Mr Governor and other leaders of the party have intervened, and today we are expected to hold our parliamentary meeting.