Crisis rocks Ondo Assembly over N44m scandal, Speaker faces removal

…I am not aware of my resignation — Speaker

 

Twenty-one out of the 26 members of the 26 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have asked the Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, to honourably resign from office following an escalating leadership crisis over the alleged handling of about ₦44 million released by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to the legislature.

 

The development, which has reportedly heightened tensions among the 26-Assembly’s members, came barely months after the Speaker survived an impeachment attempt by some lawmakers.

 

Multiple sources within the Assembly alleged that Oladiji, who represents Ondo East Constituency, was under intense pressure from some lawmakers over allegations that the funds were not transparently managed or properly accounted for.

 

According to the sources, the money was allegedly released by OSOPADEC for the benefit of the entire House, but some lawmakers reportedly accused the Speaker of failing to carry members along in the management and disbursement of the funds.

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BusinessDay reports that the crisis also said to have raised questions over the continued stay in office of the Deputy Speaker, Ololade Gbegudu, representing Okitipupa Constituency II, while the Clerk of the House, Benjamin Jaiyeola, may reportedly be redeployed.

One of the sources said the Speaker had considered resigning on Monday ahead of a possible move by lawmakers to address the matter during Tuesday’s sitting.

The source said: “The Speaker contemplated resigning today but did not go ahead with it. The issue is connected to an alleged ₦44 million involving funds reportedly released by OSOPADEC to the Assembly.

“The money was reportedly meant for the entire House, but there are allegations that the Speaker did not carry other lawmakers along in the handling of the funds.

“It may also affect the Deputy Speaker, while the Clerk of the House could be redeployed.”

Another source said the intervention of a prominent political figure in the state may have prevented the Speaker from resigning on Monday.

“The Speaker wanted to resign today but did not eventually do so because of political intervention. We will see what happens tomorrow,” the source said.

However, Oladiji dismissed the move to remove him from office and described the allegations against his leadership as politically motivated and without merit.

According to him, “well, I have debunked the allegations of that OSOPADEC N44million scandal. So, that about 21 members of the House have asked for my resignation as the Speaker of the House; “I am not aware of that.”