The Ondo State House of Assembly has suspended its planned removal of Speaker Olamide Oladiji, following intervention by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Lawmakers have also set up a committee to audit the legislature's finances, according to Tunji Fabiyi, Chairman of the House Committee on Information.
Background of the Crisis
Twenty-one of the 26 lawmakers had demanded Oladiji's resignation or threatened forceful removal over allegations of misconduct and mishandling of N44 million from the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC). He was also accused of unilaterally reordering the commission's 2026 budget for personal gains. Oladiji has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations false and politically motivated.
APC's Role and Lawmakers' Stance
Fabiyi stated that plans for removal were concluded but are now pending the outcome of APC leadership intervention. "We are still waiting for the leadership of the party. We cannot proceed further until the party gives us direction," he said. He emphasized that all 26 members belong to the APC, making party mediation appropriate. "Our father will not prefer one person at the expense of the other 26 members," he added.
OSOPADEC's Response and Audit Committee
OSOPADEC, through spokesperson Godson Ewata, dissociated itself from the crisis, warning against misinformation. Meanwhile, the House has constituted an audit committee to examine financial and administrative records. Fabiyi said the House also addressed constituency projects and flooding concerns, adjourning for two weeks to allow committees to resume oversight functions.
Party Secretary Confirms Intervention
Ondo APC Secretary Alex Kalejaye confirmed the intervention, linking the crisis to contentious primaries. "It is necessary that as a party we make the effort to resolve the different interests that arose from the last primaries," he said, assuring that issues would be resolved amicably ahead of the general election.
