The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has raised concerns that a group of lawmakers is working against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration. The issue, which has been growing for weeks, became public on Saturday when Oladiji spoke to journalists in Akure about the widening split within the Assembly.
The tension stems from a disagreement among the 26 lawmakers, all members of the All Progressives Congress. Fourteen lawmakers have remained active in legislative work and are standing with the Speaker, while 12 others have stayed away from sittings over unresolved complaints. Information circulating online claimed that the absent lawmakers had taken steps to change the leadership of the House by seeking to remove the Speaker. They were also said to have passed a vote of no confidence in him and accused him of misconduct.
Oladiji stated that the lawmakers who are not attending sittings are trying to disrupt the smooth running of government. He explained that he has been operating strictly by the House Rules and Standing Orders. He said many of the aggrieved lawmakers have been outside the country during sittings and have tied their personal demands to the passage of the re-ordered budget. According to him, they wanted the budget process to be used as leverage to force the governor to meet their requests.
He noted that the 14 lawmakers loyal to him proceeded with the budget reordering during the last plenary session, adding that they acted in the interest of the state. He also said they have the support of Governor Aiyedatiwa, as their actions are geared toward ensuring government activities continue without delay.
Oladiji urged the absent lawmakers to return to the chamber and carry out their duties to the people who elected them.
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader of the House, Olatunji Oshati, dismissed claims of a leadership problem or plans to remove the Speaker. In a statement, he insisted that the Assembly remains united and continues to carry out its work.