Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Bornet .k
The political crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly has deepened after a majority of lawmakers issued an ultimatum to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, to resign from office by Sunday, 26 July 2026, or face impeachment over allegations of financial misconduct.
The ultimatum was announced on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, after 21 of the 26 members of the Assembly signed an impeachment notice against the Speaker. The lawmakers accused Oladiji of diverting ₦44 million allocated for the reordering of the budget of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and carrying out the budget adjustment without the knowledge or approval of the House.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, confirmed that the majority had resolved to remove the Speaker from office. He explained that the lawmakers had delayed taking immediate action after meeting with Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stressing that the governor had requested time but did not interfere with the legislative process.
Fabiyi said the dispute was not politically motivated but centred on what lawmakers described as a breach of legislative procedure and alleged financial misconduct. According to him, members discovered that a resolution relating to the OSOPADEC budget had been prepared and presented in their names without their consent, a development they described as unacceptable and potentially criminal.
He stated that the lawmakers had given the Speaker until Sunday to resign voluntarily, warning that failure to do so would result in his impeachment when the House reconvenes for its next plenary sitting. He added that any attempt to shield the Speaker from accountability would amount to aiding and abetting the alleged misconduct.
The allegations first became public earlier this week when a member of the Assembly, who requested anonymity, claimed that the Speaker and his deputy had diverted the ₦44 million earmarked for the OSOPADEC budget reordering process. The lawmaker also alleged that the Speaker approved the budget adjustment without consulting the majority of Assembly members.
According to the source, the impeachment process had begun approximately three weeks earlier but was delayed following interventions by Governor Aiyedatiwa. The lawmaker further claimed that the governor had advised the Speaker to resign in order to avoid a prolonged political crisis within the Assembly.
Responding to the allegations, Speaker Olamide Oladiji denied any wrongdoing. Speaking by telephone, he said he was unaware of any impeachment notice and rejected the claims against him.
The unfolding crisis has attracted significant political attention in Ondo State, as the House of Assembly prepares to reconvene. Political observers say the outcome of the dispute could have important implications for legislative stability and relations between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
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