Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has attributed the move by some lawmakers to impeach him to their dissatisfaction with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Oladiji, describing the impeachment attempt as a distraction and misplaced priority, insisted that the Assembly remains committed to amending and passing the revised 2025 Appropriation Act.
The Speaker’s stance comes after 14 lawmakers expressed support for him, passing a vote of confidence in his leadership.
However, twelve of the 26 lawmakers had earlier passed a vote of no confidence in Oladiji, accusing him of gross misconduct and financial mismanagement.
Tensions escalated in the Assembly after certain lawmakers walked out to protest Governor Aiyedatiwa’s N531 billion supplementary budget. They accused Oladiji of rushing the approval process, despite the underperformance of the 2025 budget with less than two months left in the fiscal year.
Flanked by Deputy Speaker Olalade Gbegudu, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation Chairman Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, and Ilaje 2 Representative Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, Oladiji argued that refusing to address the budget amendment as proposed by the dissenting lawmakers would hinder the current administration’s operations.
He emphasized that the Assembly will uphold its constitutional responsibilities and avoid unnecessary political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections. He added that his leadership has remained within the bounds of the Assembly’s rules and standing orders.
“We believe that if we have any requests or demands from the governor or the executive, we shouldn't tie them to our legislative duties, particularly the budget reordering or supplementary budget process,” Oladiji said.
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