The Ondo State House of Assembly has been plunged into a fresh wave of political tension following a firm ultimatum issued by 21 lawmakers to the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji. The legislators are demanding his immediate resignation over allegations bordering on financial misconduct, threatening to initiate formal impeachment proceedings if he fails to step down within the stipulated timeframe.
With 21 signatures already appended to the impeachment notice, the aggrieved lawmakers command well over the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority required to remove the Speaker in the 26-member Assembly. Speaking on behalf of the group during a briefing with journalists in Akure, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, stated that while the groundwork for impeachment is complete, the House decided to grant Oladiji a brief window to resign honorably. He made it clear that failure to do so would leave the Assembly with no choice but to push through with his removal at the next legislative sitting.
Addressing rumors of external influence, Fabiyi dismissed claims that the executive arm was pulling the strings behind the scenes. He explained that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was only briefed on the development after the members had independently taken their decision and finalized the resolution. Although the governor appealed for a peaceful resolution to preserve political stability, Fabiyi emphasized that the lawmakers remain unwavering in their stance to see the Speaker step aside.
The core of the dispute stems from a contentious ₦44 million sum allegedly received by the Speaker from the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) on behalf of the members, which was allegedly never remitted to them. Beyond the financial dispute, Fabiyi accused Oladiji of unilaterally approving a key resolution regarding the reordering of the OSOPADEC budget without the consent or knowledge of the parliamentarians. He characterized the move as a severe breach of legislative trust and unlawful, asserting that no one has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Assembly without due process.
This escalating friction comes on the heels of grave assertions by Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, the lawmaker representing Ilaje Constituency II. She previously raised an alarm over threats to her life after publicly demanding an investigation into the alleged ₦44 million fund diversion, money originally earmarked for developmental projects across the riverine communities in Ilaje. Fayemi-Obayelu accused the Speaker of employing intimidation tactics to stifle accountability, though these allegations have yet to be tested in court.
In his defense, Oladiji has firmly refuted every charge, describing the move as a baseless attempt by political adversaries to cause unnecessary friction within the legislature. Reports reaching Zoyols News indicate that the Speaker denies receiving any formal impeachment notice, maintaining that the Assembly remains united under his leadership. A statement issued by his office labeled the claims as fabricated and politically motivated, reassuring the public that he has no intention of stepping down from his role.
