Ondo Assembly crisis deepens as 24 lawmakers back Oladiji’s removal

The leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly took a fresh twist on Friday as a member representing Ilaje Constituency II, Hon. Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, disclosed that 24 of the Assembly’s 26 lawmakers are now backing moves to remove Speaker Olamide Oladiji from office.

Fayemi-Obayelu, who made this known on Friday, said three additional lawmakers had joined the impeachment campaign, increasing the number of members supporting the move from the 21 who had earlier signed the impeachment notice to 24.

According to her, the latest development is a clear indication that the Speaker has lost the confidence of an overwhelming majority of members of the Assembly.

The lawmaker explained that the aggrieved legislators had deliberately refrained from making public comments in recent weeks out of respect for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s intervention and to give room for an amicable resolution of the crisis.

She alleged that recent actions by the Speaker had compelled the lawmakers to publicly restate their position.

“You know that 21 members’ signatures are complete, and we have an additional three, making 24 members against you. That is the result of your leadership,” she said.

Fayemi-Obayelu challenged the Speaker to account for his actions before the people of Ondo State, insisting that the majority of lawmakers were no longer comfortable with his continued leadership.

She also alleged that Oladiji mishandled a controversial House resolution, claiming that an Assembly resolution was forged. She further accused the Speaker of withholding or diverting electricity meters meant for lawmakers under the O’Datiwa meter distribution programme.

The lawmaker urged Oladiji to resign voluntarily, arguing that doing so would preserve his reputation and protect the integrity of the Assembly.

“You have tested the patience of your fellow colleagues. Remember, we were all elected like you. The members elected you as Speaker, not your constituents,” she said.

She warned that the aggrieved lawmakers were prepared to seek legal redress if necessary, maintaining that the leadership dispute would ultimately be resolved in accordance with the law.

The latest claim comes against the backdrop of the protracted leadership crisis in the Assembly over allegations surrounding about ₦44 million linked to the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).

The aggrieved lawmakers have accused the Speaker of altering the commission’s budget and relying on a House resolution allegedly issued without the approval of members.

The Speaker, however, denied all the allegations, describing them as malicious, fabricated and politically motivated, and maintained that he was unaware of any valid impeachment notice against him.

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The crisis has continued to affect legislative activities, with the aggrieved lawmakers insisting that plenary will not resume until the leadership issue is resolved.

Aiyedatiwa had earlier intervened by giving the parties a two-week window to resolve the impasse, but Fayemi-Obayelu said the lawmakers remained committed to removing what she described as the Speaker’s “stained leadership.”

She said, “Our signatures are intact, and we remain committed to removing your stained leadership from the legislative arm of government.”

If eventually confirmed through the Assembly’s formal impeachment process, the claim that 24 lawmakers now support Oladiji’s removal would represent a major escalation of the crisis and further intensify political tension within the Ondo State legislature.