The crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly has worsened, with lawmakers vowing not to resume plenary until the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, steps down over allegations of financial mismanagement involving N44 million reportedly released by the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
No fewer than 21 of the 26 lawmakers are said to have signed an impeachment notice against the Speaker over the handling of the funds.
The money was reportedly released in connection with the reordering of OSOPADEC’s 2026 budget.
Some lawmakers accused Oladiji of failing to properly involve members in the disbursement of the funds, a development that has increased tension within the Assembly.
Speaking in Akure on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Olatunji Ifabiyi, said lawmakers had resolved not to hold plenary until there was a change in the House leadership.
Ifabiyi said, “We have resolved not to hold plenary until there is a change of Speaker.
“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.”
His remarks indicate that the majority of lawmakers remain determined to remove the Speaker unless he resigns voluntarily.
Meanwhile, a principal officer of the Assembly, who spoke anonymously, said the state executive had stepped in to resolve the crisis.
According to the lawmaker, a meeting was held on Sunday between the executive and members of the Assembly to find a political solution.
The official said, “There was a peace broker yesterday (Sunday) with the executive, and we are not permitted to disclose details of the outcome of the meeting.
“I don’t want to be the first to breach the agreement. But I can tell you that the matter has been resolved, but I will not tell you if it was in favour of anybody.
“We implored internal mechanisms to address the agitations in the House of Assembly, and we are going to hold a plenary soon.”
However, Ifabiyi said he was not aware of any peace meeting involving the executive and lawmakers.
He also stated that no date had been fixed for the next plenary, insisting that the demand for a new Speaker remained the Assembly’s main concern.
The conflicting claims have created uncertainty over whether the crisis has been resolved or if the planned impeachment of Oladiji will go ahead.
Ifabiyi also confirmed that an allegation of an attempted assassination involving a member of the Assembly had been reported to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
