The political standoff rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly escalated on Saturday as Speaker Olamide Oladiji publicly dismissed an alleged impeachment plot against him, insisting that the moves by a group of lawmakers were baseless, politically calculated, and incapable of destabilising the state’s legislative process.
Speaking in Akure during a briefing monitored by our correspondent, the Speaker said the allegations levelled against him — particularly the claim that he diverted N50 million — were orchestrated to fuel tension within the Assembly and create a false narrative of leadership failure.
The crisis erupted on Thursday when twelve lawmakers issued a vote of no confidence in Oladiji, accusing him of financial misconduct and demanding his immediate removal.
But the situation took a dramatic turn hours later as fourteen lawmakers reaffirmed their loyalty to the Speaker, describing the allegations as fabricated and targeted at derailing ongoing legislative activities.
According to the Speaker, the impeachment threat was a ploy tied to early political positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that he would not allow the Assembly’s operations — particularly the amendment of the 2025 Appropriation Act — to be hijacked for personal advantage.
Speaker Accuses Aggrieved Lawmakers of Abandoning Legislative Duties
Oladiji alleged that the lawmakers behind the impeachment move had been absent from plenary and committee engagements for weeks.
“Most of these honourable members who claim they have passed a vote of no confidence have not been participating in legislative work.
As I address you right now, the majority of them are outside the country,” he stated.
The Speaker added that attempts were made to leverage the ongoing budget reordering process to pressure Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa into meeting private demands — an approach he described as reckless and unpatriotic.
He emphasised that the fourteen lawmakers who backed him “stood firm in rejecting the use of legislative power as a tool for blackmail,” arguing that governance in the state must remain uninterrupted.
“What we executed was a simple budget reordering, not a supplementary budget. The fourteen of us are united, and His Excellency is fully aware that our position is based on principle, not personal interests,” he said.
Oladiji Denies Financial Impropriety as Crisis Over Budget Reordering Persists
Responding to the allegation that he diverted N50 million, the Speaker reiterated that he has no direct control over Assembly finances.
“I do not manage the House funds or accounts. I have always conducted myself with transparency and integrity,” he declared.
The Ondo Assembly has remained divided since Governor Aiyedatiwa submitted a controversial N531 billion budget request earlier this month.
The document, presented on November 4 and read by the Clerk, Barr. Benjamin Jayeola, seeks approval for both ongoing capital projects and newly initiated infrastructure works.
The proposed budget reordering includes:
Recurrent expenditure: N254,448,081,000
Capital expenditure: N277,319,130,000
Total request: N531,767,261,000
Some lawmakers have criticised the proposal, accusing the executive arm of poor implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Law and raising concerns over fiscal discipline.
Political Analysts Warn of Rising Tension as Factions Harden Positions
With the legislative chamber now split between two entrenched blocs, political observers warn that the Ondo Assembly crisis could deepen if both sides continue to prioritise personal political ambitions over governance stability.
Analysts note that the Speaker’s claim — that the impeachment plot is tied to early realignments for 2027 — reflects rising political temperature across the state, where several power blocs are already positioning themselves for influence ahead of future elections.
For many residents and civil society actors, the crisis is a troubling setback for a state already battling economic pressure and ongoing infrastructural challenges.
The ability of the Assembly to function effectively, particularly regarding budget approval and oversight, remains central to public interest.
Tension Remains High as Voting on Budget Continues
As of the time of filing this report, voting on the reordered budget was ongoing, with the Speaker confirming that legislative activities would continue despite the pushback from the opposing lawmakers.
“Nothing will obstruct the constitutional responsibilities of this Assembly. We will not allow personal agendas to overshadow the interests of the people who elected us,” Oladiji vowed.
The standoff is expected to shape political narratives in the coming days, especially as both camps intensify lobbying within and outside the state capital.
The Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s support for Governor Aiyedatiwa, stating that the priority remains delivering democratic dividends to the people of Ondo State.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as events unfold.
