The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has described the move by 21 lawmakers seeking his removal from office as politically motivated, alleging that it is connected to preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Oladiji made the remarks while responding to calls for his resignation or impeachment over allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office.
The dispute is centred on the reordering of the budget of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), involving about ₦44 million. The Speaker denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the allegations were being used to advance political interests.
The crisis has divided the 26-member House of Assembly, with 21 lawmakers demanding Oladiji’s resignation or impeachment. The lawmakers accused him of approving a House resolution on the OSOPADEC budget reordering without the approval of the full Assembly.
They also alleged that legislative activities have been affected by irregular plenary sittings, claiming the Assembly has held only four sessions in the past seven months. The lawmakers have vowed to boycott plenary until the Speaker leaves office.
Efforts to resolve the crisis through meetings involving Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other stakeholders have yet to produce a resolution.
Oladiji expressed confidence that the dispute would soon be resolved through the APC’s internal conflict resolution process, stating that ongoing consultations are expected to bring the matter to an end.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and spokesperson of the Assembly, Olatunji Fabiyi, dismissed the Speaker’s claim that the impeachment move was linked to the 2027 elections.
Fabiyi insisted that the lawmakers’ position was based solely on concerns over alleged misconduct and abuse of office, particularly the approval of the OSOPADEC budget reordering without the consent of the Assembly.
He reaffirmed that the 21 lawmakers remain united in their demand for the Speaker’s removal.
