The political landscape in Ondo State witnessed a significant upheaval on Friday as members of the State House of Assembly took the dramatic step of passing a vote of no confidence against their Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.
Impeachment Proceedings Initiated
Twelve out of the twenty-six lawmakers formally signed an impeachment notice against Speaker Oladiji, accusing him of gross misconduct and financial impropriety. The embattled Speaker faces serious allegations that have shaken the foundation of the legislative house.
The lawmakers demanding Oladiji's removal include prominent members such as Jide Oguntodu representing Akure South 1, Temitope Akomolafe from Ifedore, and Fatai Atere of Akoko North/West 1. Other signatories are Toyin Japhet (Akoko North East), Raymond Daodu (Akoko South West 1), and Samuel Ifabiyi (Odigbo 1).
The list continues with Babatunde Fasonu (Odigbo 2), Oluwatosin Ogunlowo (Idanre), Afe Felix (Akoko North/West 2), Nelson Akinsuroju (Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo), Akinruntan Abayomi (Ilaje 1), and Stephen Abitogun (Akure South 2).
Serious Financial Allegations Surface
The core of the allegations centers on financial misappropriation amounting to N50 million that was originally allocated for conducting a public hearing. Additionally, the Speaker stands accused of improperly handling monthly operational grants designated for the Assembly's functions.
According to the impeachment notice, Oladiji's actions violated multiple constitutional provisions and legal statutes. The lawmakers specifically cited Paragraph 9, Part I, Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution which prohibits abuse of office by public officers, along with violations of the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance outlined in the Seventh Schedule.
The document further references Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 concerning abuse of office for corrupt advantage, and Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act addressing stealing by persons in public service.
Constitutional Grounds and EFCC Involvement
The assembly members emphasized that these infractions constitute gross misconduct as defined by Section 188(11) of the 1999 Constitution. They argued that the Speaker's actions have severely compromised the institutional integrity and lawful operations of the House.
In a significant move, the lawmakers have called upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately investigate, prosecute, and recover all public funds allegedly misappropriated under Oladiji's watch.
Meanwhile, reactions from the Speaker's camp have dismissed the impeachment threat. An anonymous aide characterized the situation as "a political storm in a teacup" and confidently predicted that the move was "dead on arrival."
This current crisis follows recent tensions that erupted when lawmakers staged a walkout protesting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's N531 billion supplementary budget. The legislators had accused Speaker Oladiji of attempting to rush the bill through despite poor performance of the 2025 budget, with less than two months remaining in the fiscal year.
The situation continues to develop as both sides prepare for what could be a prolonged political confrontation within Ondo State's legislative arm.
