Ondo Speaker Attributes Impeachment Plot to Lawmakers’ Grievances with Governor Aiyedatiwa

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has dismissed recent attempts by some lawmakers to impeach him as being driven by their disagreements with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, rather than concerns about his leadership.

Oladiji described the impeachment plot as a misplaced priority, insisting that the Assembly must remain focused on amending and passing the reordered 2025 Appropriation Act.

The Speaker’s stance follows a vote of confidence from 14 lawmakers, backing his leadership, even as 12 of the 26 members had earlier passed a vote of no confidence, citing gross misconduct and alleged misappropriation of Assembly funds.

Tensions in the Assembly escalated after lawmakers staged a walkout in protest against the N531 billion supplementary budget presented by Governor Aiyedatiwa, accusing Oladiji of attempting to fast-track its passage despite the poor performance of the 2025 budget and the nearing end of the fiscal year.

Flanked by Deputy Speaker Olalade Gbegudu, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, and Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu (Ilaje 2), Oladiji stressed that delaying the amendment of the supplementary budget, as suggested by the aggrieved lawmakers, would cripple the state government.

He reaffirmed that the Assembly under his leadership will perform its constitutional duties without succumbing to political distractions, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We have the opinion that if at all we have a request, or if at all we have any demand from His Excellency or the executive, we should not tie it with our legislative assignments, which is the reordering or what we call the supplementary budgets,” Oladiji stated.