Ondo Speaker gets Sunday deadline to resign or face impeachment

The Ondo State House of Assembly is embroiled in a crisis as a majority of lawmakers have issued an ultimatum to Speaker Olamide Oladiji. They demand his resignation by Sunday or face impeachment proceedings. Twenty-one out of the 26 members have signed an impeachment notice, citing alleged financial misconduct.

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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.

The core accusation involves the Speaker's alleged diversion of N44 million from funds allocated for the reordering of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget. According to the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, the lawmakers felt compelled to act after a resolution was written in their name without their knowledge, which they deem a criminal offense.

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So, to avoid that, the leadership of the House went to Mr Governor to tell him that this one is not about him. This is what Mr Speaker has done, and we don’t want him anymore. He is the one leading us, and we don’t want him to lead us again.

Fabiyi stated that the lawmakers met with the state governor to explain their position, aiming to avoid accusations of being sponsored. The governor has reportedly intervened and advised the Speaker to resign. However, the lawmakers are resolute, emphasizing that the issue is not with the governor but with the Speaker's actions regarding the OSOPADEC budget. They have set a firm deadline, warning that failure to resign will result in impeachment during the next plenary session.

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Twenty-one members have signed for his removal. But in the wisdom of the leadership of the House, not to make it appear as if we are striking too quickly, we went to Mr Governor.