Ondo Assembly Speaker Faces Impeachment as 21 Lawmakers Sign Removal Notice
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, is facing possible impeachment after 21 of the 26 lawmakers in the Assembly reportedly signed a notice seeking his removal over allegations of financial misconduct.
The lawmakers accused the Speaker of diverting N44 million from funds allocated for the reordering of the budget of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, disclosed that the lawmakers had issued Oladiji an ultimatum to resign before Sunday or face impeachment at the next plenary sitting.
According to Fabiyi, the decision followed a loss of confidence in the Speaker’s leadership by the majority of members of the Assembly.
He explained that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had been briefed on the development but allowed the legislature to handle the matter independently in line with its constitutional responsibilities.
“Members have resolved that the Speaker should go, but in the wisdom of the leadership of the House, we felt it was necessary to brief the governor,” Fabiyi said.
He dismissed claims that the impeachment move was being orchestrated by external forces, insisting that it was solely the decision of lawmakers.
“We informed the governor that this has nothing to do with him. It is about what the Speaker allegedly did, and members no longer have confidence in his leadership,” he added.
Fabiyi revealed that 21 lawmakers had already endorsed the impeachment notice but said the leadership agreed to allow room for further consultations after the governor requested a brief period before any final action was taken.
He maintained that the crisis stemmed from the handling of the OSOPADEC budget, alleging that a resolution was prepared and presented in the names of lawmakers without their knowledge or approval.
If the Speaker fails to resign before the expiration of the ultimatum, the lawmakers are expected to commence impeachment proceedings when the House reconvenes for plenary.