The leadership crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly has escalated after 24 of the 26 lawmakers reportedly declared support for the removal of Speaker Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji over allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office, intensifying a dispute that has disrupted legislative activities in the state.
The latest development follows an earlier impeachment push backed by 21 lawmakers. Three additional legislators have now joined the campaign, bringing the number of lawmakers supporting the Speaker’s removal to 24, according to Hon. Olawunmi Fayemi-Obayelu, who represents Ilaje Constituency II and spoke on behalf of the aggrieved members.
The lawmakers accuse the Speaker of financial impropriety linked to the alleged handling of about ₦44 million connected with the reordering of the budget of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC). They also allege that his leadership has stalled the Assembly’s activities, insisting that normal legislative business will not resume until a new Speaker emerges.
The crisis has led to a prolonged suspension of plenary sittings, with the aggrieved lawmakers maintaining that they will continue to boycott proceedings until their demands are met. They have also alleged that attempts were made to persuade them to abandon the impeachment process.
Speaker Oladiji has, however, rejected the allegations, insisting that the campaign to remove him is politically motivated rather than based on financial misconduct. According to him, the impeachment effort is tied to political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, claiming that some lawmakers became dissatisfied after failing to secure support for their political ambitions.
The Speaker has maintained that he has committed no wrongdoing and has defended his stewardship of the Assembly, describing the allegations as a smokescreen for a broader political agenda.
The standoff has raised concerns over the continued functioning of the Ondo State House of Assembly, as the dispute threatens to further delay legislative business unless a political resolution is reached. As of Friday, there was no indication that either side was willing to back down, leaving the Assembly embroiled in one of its most significant internal crises since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.
