Ondo Assembly crisis deepens as Speaker dismisses ‘impeachment plot’

Embattled Ondo Speaker Olamide Oladiji has dismissed the impeachment threat against him by a group of aggrieved lawmakers, describing the move as politically motivated and lacking in substance.

Twelve lawmakers on Thursday passed a vote of no confidence in the Speaker, accusing him of diverting N50 million and demanding his immediate removal.

But in a swift counter-move, 14 lawmakers loyal to Oladiji declared confidence in his leadership, urging the public to disregard what they called unfounded allegations of gross misconduct.

Addressing journalists on Saturday in Akure, Oladiji said the dissenting lawmakers lacked the capacity to destabilise the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa or obstruct the amendment of the 2025 Appropriation Act.

He alleged that the impeachment plot was tied to early political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that he would not allow the Assembly’s constitutional duties to be held hostage.

“These honourable members who passed a vote of no confidence in me have not been coming for their legislative assignments. As I speak to you now, the majority of them are outside the country,” he said.

The Speaker explained that the lawmakers attempted to use the ongoing budget reordering process as leverage to compel Governor Aiyedatiwa to accede to their personal demands – an approach he described as reckless. 

According to him, the 14 lawmakers who backed him were resolute in rejecting any attempt to “blackmail” the executive arm by tying legislative approval to private negotiations.

“What we did was not even a supplementary budget; it was a reordering. The 14 of us are strongly together, and we have the backing of His Excellency because what we are doing is not personal,” he added.

On the allegation of diverting N50 million, Oladiji dismissed the claim, maintaining that he does not directly handle the Assembly’s finances.

“I don’t deal with the house (assembly) money or account. I have been very transparent,” he said. 

Oladiji reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting Governor Aiyedatiwa in delivering democratic dividends to the people of the state. 

The Ondo Assembly had been sharply divided since Governor Aiyedatiwa presented a N531 billion “supplementary budget” for legislative approval.

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The budget was submitted on November 4, 2025, and read by the Clerk, Barr. Benjamin Jayeola seeks to fund ongoing capital projects, salaries, pensions, and newly initiated infrastructure works.

A copy of the budget document showed that the Governor is requesting N531,767,261,000, with N254,448,081,000 earmarked for recurrent expenditure and N277,319,130,000 for capital projects for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

However, several lawmakers have challenged the proposal, accusing the executive arm of fiscal indiscipline and poor implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Law.

With the Assembly split into two entrenched camps, political observers warn that the crisis could intensify if both sides fail to close ranks and prioritise governance over personal interests