The leadership crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly deepened on Wednesday as lawmakers gave Speaker Olamide Oladiji until Sunday to resign or face impeachment over alleged financial misconduct.
Twenty-one of the Assembly’s 26 members have reportedly signed an impeachment notice accusing the Speaker of diverting N44 million 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, confirmed that lawmakers had agreed to give the Speaker a final opportunity to step down before commencing impeachment proceedings at the next plenary sitting.
According to Fabiyi, the lawmakers met with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to brief him on the situation, stressing that the decision was reached independently by members of the Assembly.
“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,” Fabiyi said.
He explained that the meeting was intended to dispel claims that external forces were behind the move to remove the Speaker.
“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.”
Fabiyi alleged that the Speaker authorised the reordering of the OSOPADEC budget without the knowledge or approval of lawmakers and falsely presented it as a resolution of the House.
“A resolution was written in the name of members without our knowledge. It was stated that members had sat down and agreed to it, and that it was our resolution, which it was not.
“It is a criminal offence. You cannot shave our heads behind our backs. That is what we are fighting for.”
He added that lawmakers had given the Speaker until Sunday to resign voluntarily.
“We are giving him till Sunday. If he fails to resign, we will remove him.”
A lawmaker, who spoke anonymously, also accused the Speaker and his deputy of diverting the N44 million meant for the OSOPADEC budget reordering.
The legislator said the impeachment process began about three weeks ago but was delayed following the governor’s intervention.
“We just want him to resign honourably and, if he fails to do so, we will impeach him on the floor of the House. We have initiated an impeachment notice, and 21 members have already signed,” the lawmaker said.
Responding to the allegations, Speaker Oladiji denied any wrongdoing, insisting he was unaware of an impeachment notice against him.
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