The Ondo State House of Assembly has declared that it will not resume plenary until Speaker Olamide Oladiji resigns or is removed from office over allegations of diverting ₦44 million meant for the reordering of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) 2026 budget.
The crisis follows an impeachment move against the Speaker after 21 of the 26 lawmakers reportedly signed a notice seeking his removal over allegations of financial mismanagement.
Some lawmakers accused Oladiji of failing to carry members along in the disbursement of the funds released by OSOPADEC, a development that has sparked tension within the Assembly.
Speaking with NAN on Monday in Akure, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Olatunji Ifabiyi, said lawmakers had resolved not to hold plenary until a new Speaker emerges.
“We have resolved not to hold plenary until there is a change of Speaker,” Ifabiyi said.
He insisted that Oladiji should step aside to allow another lawmaker to lead the Assembly.
“For now, there is no development except that Mr Speaker should just give way and allow another person to preside over the Ondo State House of Assembly. If he doesn’t resign, we will impeach him. If he fails to do the needful, we will do the needful,” he added.
Meanwhile, a principal officer of the Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the Ondo State Executive held a meeting with lawmakers on Sunday in an attempt to resolve the political crisis.
According to the lawmaker, an agreement was reached during the meeting, but details of the resolution were not disclosed.
“There was a peace broker yesterday (Sunday) with the executive and we are not permitted to disclose details of the outcome of the meeting. But I can tell you that the matter has been resolved,” the official said.
The Assembly is expected to determine its next line of action as the leadership crisis continues.
Source: NAN.
