Ondo Speaker dismisses impeachment plot, defends budget reordering

Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji has dismissed claims of a vote of no confidence passed on him by some lawmakers, describing the impeachment moves against him as “fabricated distractions engineered by some lawmakers.”

The Speaker, while speaking with newsmen on Saturday, said the agitation of some 12 lawmakers calling for his removal is nothing but a misplaced priority, adding that the allegations of misappropriation of N50m against him are unfounded, false, and untrue.

He maintained that the purported move holds no constitutional weight as no such action was tabled or discussed on the floor of the Assembly.

He explained that he had been carrying out the affairs of the Assembly in line with the Rules and Standing Orders of the State House of Assembly, stressing that any legitimate legislative action must occur within the chamber, not on the pages of newspapers.

He said, “I am not worried over the development. Everything they claim to have done exists only on social media. These are individuals who do not attend sittings.

“If anyone truly wants to challenge the leadership, they must come to the floor of the House with genuine evidence. They have none.”

Commenting on calls for the EFCC to investigate the Assembly’s finances, the Speaker said this would be a welcome development, adding that the House has nothing to hide.

“Let them invite the EFCC; we welcome it. The agency will trace every kobo. The issue is not corruption; it is personal interest, and it is just too early. It’s about 2027 political calculations. That is what is driving the noise.”

He maintained that the priority of the Assembly remains peace, cooperation with the executive, and sustained delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

Oladiji, however, charged the lawmakers to return to their legislative duties, urging those living outside the country to return home and participate in the legislative process.

“Those who have chosen to legislate from abroad should return home and do the work they were elected to do. Throwing stones from thousands of miles away does not build the state.”

Speaking on the late-year reordering of the 2025 budget, the Speaker provided detailed justification, explaining that the 2025 budget had been crafted with expectations of donor and intervention funds that have not yet arrived.

Additionally, he explained that a World Bank project fund, meant to be disbursed over four years, was mistakenly entered in full into the 2025 appropriation.

He said, “Only 25% of the World Bank allocation will come in 2025, yet the total value for four years was embedded in the budget. We had to remove the 75% that will not arrive this year and adjust allocations accordingly.”

The Speaker added that some MDAs were sitting on unused NGO-linked funds, while others urgently required additional support, making reallocation inevitable.

He noted that the process began in September 2025 and followed due administrative procedure before reaching the House, coinciding with the Assembly’s packed schedule of six public hearings.

He confirmed that around 18 lawmakers supported the budget reordering, emphasising that budgeting is a procedural matter and not a political factional contest.

“People may disagree politically, but budgeting is different. It must follow due process. We will provide the exact number officially at our next sitting. So we have at least 14 of us who strongly supported the Executive, and what we are doing is not personal.”

Oladiji vowed that the Assembly would continue to support Governor Aiyedatiwa to deliver dividends of democracy for the people of the state.

Speaking, the House Committee Chairman on Finance, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, also explained that the reordering of the 2025 budget, occurring less than two months to the end of the fiscal year, became necessary due to funding realities.

He noted that some international donor funds expected in the 2025 budget had not been received, while a World Bank fund meant to be released over four years had mistakenly been fully included in the 2025 estimates.

“Only 25% of that money is coming in 2025, so the remaining 75% had to be removed. Some MDAs also had unused funds from NGOs, while others urgently needed more allocations,” he said.

He added that the adjustment process began in September 2025 and needed to pass through executive procedures before reaching the House, coinciding with six pending bills and public hearings already scheduled.

Ogunmolasuyi said the reordering enjoyed the support of about 18 lawmakers, though he stressed that the exact number would be confirmed at the next sitting.

“Budgeting and political alignment are two different things entirely. People may belong to different camps, but what matters is proper procedure.”

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