Lawmakers Push for Speaker’s Removal Amid Allegations in Ondo

The Ondo State House of Assembly has plunged deeper into crisis as 24 out of its 26 members declared support for the removal of Speaker Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji. The lawmakers accuse him of financial misconduct and abuse of office, a development that has thrown the legislative arm of the state into turmoil.

According to Hon. Olawunmi Fayemi-Obayelu, representing Ilaje Constituency II, three additional lawmakers joined the 21 who had earlier endorsed the impeachment move, bringing the total to 24. She explained that the Speaker had lost the confidence of the overwhelming majority of members, citing alleged impropriety in the handling of ₦44 million connected with the reordering of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget.

Fayemi-Obayelu further accused Oladiji of issuing House resolutions without members’ approval and raised concerns about the management of electricity meters distributed under the state’s O’Datiwa Meter Distribution Programme. She urged the Speaker to resign “in the interest of the Assembly and to preserve his reputation”.

In response, Oladiji strongly denied the allegations, describing the impeachment move as politically motivated. He insisted that the plot against him was tied to political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections rather than financial misconduct. He alleged that some lawmakers were disgruntled after failing to secure return tickets and were unhappy with his continued leadership of the Assembly.

The Assembly’s Committee on Information, led by Hon. Olatunji Fabiyi, rejected Oladiji’s claims, stressing that the impeachment move was based on governance and accountability. Fabiyi accused the Speaker of breaching legislative procedure by acting without the approval of the House in matters relating to the OSOPADEC budget reordering.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has intervened, offering a two-week reconciliation window to resolve the crisis. However, with the peace window set to expire, aggrieved lawmakers remain resolute in their demand for Oladiji’s removal. Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have also stepped in, but the lawmakers insist they have lost confidence in the Speaker’s leadership.

Beyond the political maneuvering, the crisis has human consequences. Ordinary citizens in Ondo State worry about the impact on governance, as legislative instability threatens the passage of critical bills and oversight of state projects. Civil society groups have urged both the Assembly and the Governor to prioritize the people’s welfare over political battles.

The unfolding drama underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions when internal disputes overshadow governance. For many residents, the hope is that the Assembly will resolve its differences without further destabilizing the state. Whether Oladiji survives the impeachment move or not, the crisis has already exposed deep divisions within the legislature and raised questions about accountability and leadership in Ondo State.