The political crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly has intensified, with 21 of the 26 lawmakers reportedly insisting that Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, must either resign or face impeachment.
The lawmakers are accusing the Speaker of misconduct following allegations surrounding the handling of ₦44 million released to the Assembly by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC). However, Oladiji has denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations against him as baseless and unfounded.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Olatunji Fabiyi, said the majority of members had resolved to proceed with impeachment proceedings if the Speaker failed to resign by the end of the weekend.
Fabiyi disclosed that the planned impeachment was temporarily delayed following the intervention of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, whom the lawmakers briefed on their position.
According to him, the lawmakers met with the governor to make it clear that their move was an internal legislative matter and not politically motivated.
He explained that the dispute stemmed from a resolution on the OSOPADEC budget, which he alleged was prepared and presented in the names of lawmakers without their knowledge or approval.
Fabiyi claimed that 21 lawmakers had already endorsed the move to remove the Speaker, stressing that the majority had lost confidence in his leadership.
He further maintained that if the Speaker declined to resign voluntarily, the House would proceed with constitutional steps to remove him from office.
The Speaker has consistently rejected the allegations levelled against him, insisting that he has committed no offence and that the claims are without merit.
The leadership crisis has continued to generate political attention in Ondo State as stakeholders await the next move by the lawmakers and the Speaker.
Source: Sunshine Truth.
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