No going back on Ondo Speaker’s impeachment — Lawmakers

The Ondo State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, maintained that there was no going back on the planned impeachment of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, but said it was awaiting the outcome of the intervention by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before taking the next step.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, disclosed this after the Assembly resumed plenary following weeks without a sitting, saying the impeachment process remained on course despite the temporary pause occasioned by the party’s mediation efforts.

“We are still waiting for the leadership of the party. We cannot proceed further until the party gives us direction, so the matter is pending,” Ifabiyi said.

He maintained that while the executive does not interfere in legislative affairs, it was appropriate for the ruling party to mediate since all 26 lawmakers belong to the APC.

According to him, the party, as a common platform for all members, was expected to bring everyone together to resolve the crisis without favouring any individual.

“We are still waiting for the leadership of the party. We are unable to proceed further until the leadership of the party asks us to proceed. So, it is pending. We are still on course,” he said.

He explained that while the executive has no role in the affairs of the legislature, the APC, being the platform on which all 26 lawmakers were elected, has a responsibility to intervene and resolve the crisis.

“It is normal for the party to intervene because we are all members of the same family. The APC has total control of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

“Our father should call all his sons together to discuss whatever crisis has arisen so that it can be resolved. But our father will not prefer one person at the expense of the other 26 members.

“It is our party, and the fact remains that we want to change the kind of leadership we currently have. There is no opposition among us; we all belong to the same political party. Our father will not prefer one person at the expense of 26 members. Our father will not do that.”

On legislative activities, Ifabiyi said the Assembly reconvened in response to public concerns over the prolonged absence of plenary sittings, stressing that lawmakers remained committed to their constitutional responsibilities.

He said the House passed resolutions on key developmental issues and also constituted an audit committee expected to examine the Assembly’s financial and administrative records and make recommendations where necessary.

According to him, the House deliberated on issues affecting the state, including constituency projects, flooding and other developmental challenges confronting communities across Ondo State.

He noted that lawmakers representing riverine areas raised concerns over recurring flooding, prompting the Assembly to pass resolutions and call on relevant government agencies to take urgent action.

Ifabiyi disclosed that the House adjourned and would reconvene in about two weeks. He added that all standing committees had been directed to resume their regular sittings and oversight functions.