Ondo Speaker Faces Impeachment Threat

The Ondo State House of Assembly has moved closer to removing its Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, after lawmakers issued a Sunday deadline for him to resign or face impeachment over allegations of financial misconduct involving N44 million.

The crisis reportedly began after members of the Assembly accused the Speaker of allegedly diverting funds meant for the reordering of the budget of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).

According to reports, 21 out of the 26 members of the Assembly have signed an impeachment notice against Oladiji, indicating strong support among lawmakers for the move.

ALSO READ: 100 Days In Office: Bibire Lights Up Oke-Ayo, Appeals For Votes For APM Candidates

The lawmakers alleged that the Speaker approved changes to the OSOPADEC budget without obtaining the approval or knowledge of other members of the Assembly, a development they described as a breach of legislative procedure.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, said the lawmakers had already resolved that the Speaker should leave office but decided to give him time to resign voluntarily before taking further legislative action.

Fabiyi explained that the lawmakers approached Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to clarify that the move was not politically motivated or targeted at the governor but was based on issues surrounding the alleged handling of the OSOPADEC budget.

ALSO READ: 100 Days In Office: Bibire Lights Up Oke-Ayo, Appeals For Votes For APM Candidates

The lawmakers maintained that they wanted the Speaker to step aside honourably, warning that failure to resign would lead to his removal through impeachment proceedings at the Assembly.

A member of the Assembly who spoke anonymously alleged that both the Speaker and his deputy were linked to the alleged diversion of the funds, though the accusations remain claims by lawmakers and have not been proven in court.

Reacting to the development, Speaker Olamide Oladiji denied knowledge of any impeachment process against him and rejected the allegations of financial wrongdoing.

ALSO READ: 100 Days In Office: Bibire Lights Up Oke-Ayo, Appeals For Votes For APM Candidates

The Speaker challenged his accusers to provide evidence supporting their claims, describing the allegations as unfounded.

The controversy has created tension within the Ondo State legislature, with political observers watching closely to see whether the lawmakers will proceed with impeachment proceedings or reach a resolution.

If successful, the move would trigger a major leadership change in the Ondo Assembly, where Oladiji has served as Speaker since June 2023.

ADVERTISE WITH US

Do you want to reach your targeted audience and expand your brand’s visibility?

Advertise with Polity Reporters to place your “message” before the right audience.

For advertising enquiries, reach us through:

Email: bandcommunications001@gmail.com

Facebook: Polity Reporters

WhatsApp: 07043810558

“Journalism is what we need to make democracy work.”

“News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.”

“Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault.”

“The duty of a journalist is to convey the truth as clearly and fully as possible.”

“Good journalism is about results. It is about affecting your community or your society in the most progressive way.”

“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed; everything else is public relations.”

“A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society.”

“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

“Journalism without a moral position is impossible.”

“The function of journalism is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

Polity Reporters

Polity Reporters brings you news from Nigeria and around the world. The team follows developments closely and reports in a way that helps readers understand what is happening locally and internationally. Every piece is clear, reliable, and useful for anyone who wants to stay informed.