Ondo 2024: Lawmakers pass vote of no confidence on Speaker Oladiji

Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday, passed a vote of no confidence on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, over the public endorsement of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The lawmakers, who disassociated themselves from the purported endorsement of Governor Aiyedatiwa for the November governorship race in the state, the endorsement runs against democratic principles and there was no resolution to that effect.

The lawmakers stated that the alleged endorsement was the figment of imagination of the Speaker, maintaining that there was no time the House passed any resolution to endorse the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The members, in a statement signed by 13 of the 26 lawmakers, noted that Oladiji who is the Speaker of the House, made the endorsement while giving his remarks during Aiyedatiwa governorship declaration on Tuesday in Akure, the state capital.

The lawmakers said the vote of no confidence passed on the Speaker, became necessary following Oladiji’s disrespect for the independence and integrity of the House of Assembly.

According to the statement signed by the majority leader and 12 others, which read that: “The Ondo State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that it has not passed any resolution to endorse the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as purportedly announced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.

“The House of Assembly operates on democratic principles, and would formally take a collective decision, follow due process and the relevant laws governing the State where it wishes to take any decision regarding the endorsement of a gubernatorial candidate

“As Honourable members of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, we were shocked and disappointed to hear the public declaration made by the Honourable Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, to the extent that the Ondo State House of Assembly has agreed to support the governorship ambition of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa”

They maintained that the said declaration by Mr. Speaker is untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary, and, to say the least, ridiculous.

The statement stated further that “We, therefore, wish to inform the good people of Ondo State at home and in the diaspora that: at no point did the Ondo State House of Assembly deliberate the governorship ambition of any of the numerous aspirants that have indicated their interests to contest for the State’s 2024 Governorship Election, let alone agree to support any particular aspirant.

“Mr. Speaker lacks the moral and legal authorities to speak or pledge support for any governorship aspirant on behalf of the House without the explicit consent of members.

“Mr. Speaker has, by his unconventional and false public declaration, misrepresented the honourable House, and in so doing, brought the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly into disrepute, needless controversies and breached our confidence in his leadership.”

They however said, “Consequently, we hereby pass a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji.

“The House of Assembly however reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all decisions taken are transparent enough and are in the best interest of the people of Ondo State”

The statement was signed by the majority leader Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, MoyinOlorun Taiwo Ogunwumiju, Oluwarotimi Babatunde Fasonu, Chief Whip and the Minority Leader, Hon Olajide Johnson Oguntodu

Others include Deputy Minority Leader, Hon Raymond Daodu, Hon Akinsuroju Akindolani Nelson, Hon. Akomolafe Temitope, and Hon Ifabiyi Samuel Olatunji

The list also includes, Hon. Agbulu Tope Akeem, Hon. Christopher Odunayo Ayebusiwa, Hon Atinuke Morenike Witherspoon, Hon. Biola John Oladapo, and Hon Afe Felix.