Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, has dismissed calls by 21 lawmakers for his removal, describing the move as a political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
The lawmakers had accused Oladiji of financial misconduct involving about N44 million, alleging that he approved a resolution on the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget reordering without the approval of the Assembly.
They also faulted the pace of legislative activities under his leadership, claiming that the House had held only four plenary sessions in seven months.
The aggrieved lawmakers have vowed not to return to plenary until the Speaker steps aside, despite interventions by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Reacting to the allegations, Oladiji said the campaign for his removal was linked to political interests ahead of the next election cycle.
He alleged that some lawmakers were opposed to his return as Speaker in 2027, adding that similar complaints had been raised against him for about three years.
The speaker, however, expressed confidence that the crisis would soon be resolved through internal party discussions.
“We have the leader of the party in the APC, and they are trying to intervene. We have a way of settling our issues.
“We have been attending a series of meetings and, by the grace of God, in another one week, it will become a thing of the past, ” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Assembly spokesperson, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, rejected the Speaker’s explanation that the crisis was politically motivated.
Ifabiyi maintained that the lawmakers’ concerns were based on alleged misconduct and abuse of office, insisting that the dispute was not about election tickets.
“He claimed some of us did not get return tickets, but we have been observing his actions for a long time.
“The issue is not about tickets. The question is whether the Speaker should unilaterally issue a resolution claiming the House approved the OSOPADEC budget reordering without the Assembly’s approval, ” he said.
The spokesperson added that the lawmakers had resolved that Oladiji must resign or face impeachment proceedings, warning that any member supporting him would be regarded as backing the alleged misconduct.
———- Forwarded message ———
From: mercy Neme <electt2014@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2026, 10:03
Subject: Ondo Speaker: Removal bid is political, says Oladiji – edited
To: Sony Neme <sony06neme777@gmail.com>
Ondo Speaker: Removal bid is political, says Oladiji
Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, has dismissed calls by 21 lawmakers for his removal, describing the move as a political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
The lawmakers had accused Oladiji of financial misconduct involving about N44 million, alleging that he approved a resolution on the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget reordering without the approval of the Assembly.
They also faulted the pace of legislative activities under his leadership, claiming that the House had held only four plenary sessions in seven months.
The aggrieved lawmakers have vowed not to return to plenary until the Speaker steps aside, despite interventions by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Reacting to the allegations, Oladiji said the campaign for his removal was linked to political interests ahead of the next election cycle.
He alleged that some lawmakers were opposed to his return as Speaker in 2027, adding that similar complaints had been raised against him for about three years.
The speaker, however, expressed confidence that the crisis would soon be resolved through internal party discussions.
“We have the leader of the party in the APC, and they are trying to intervene. We have a way of settling our issues.
“We have been attending a series of meetings and, by the grace of God, in another one week, it will become a thing of the past, ” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Assembly spokesperson, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, rejected the Speaker’s explanation that the crisis was politically motivated.
Ifabiyi maintained that the lawmakers’ concerns were based on alleged misconduct and abuse of office, insisting that the dispute was not about election tickets.
“He claimed some of us did not get return tickets, but we have been observing his actions for a long time.
“The issue is not about tickets. The question is whether the Speaker should unilaterally issue a resolution claiming the House approved the OSOPADEC budget reordering without the Assembly’s approval, ” he said.
The spokesperson added that the lawmakers had resolved that Oladiji must resign or face impeachment proceedings, warning that any member supporting him would be regarded as backing the alleged misconduct.
