Ondo Lawmakers Face Crisis Over N44m Budget Allegations

A leadership crisis has erupted among Ondo lawmakers due to allegations surrounding the handling of N44 million linked to the reordering of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget. Speaker Olamide Oladiji is under pressure as 21 of the 26 lawmakers signed an impeachment notice against him, demanding his resignation.

The deadline for his resignation has passed without resolution. Hon.

Olatunji Fabiyi, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, confirmed that the decision to remove the Speaker was made after consultations and that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was informed to mitigate claims of external influence. Speaker Oladiji has rejected the allegations, labeling them as unfounded and politically motivated, asserting that the real issue is related to political developments following the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.

Tensions escalated when Hon. Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu alleged an assassination attempt linked to her investigation into financial impropriety.

The crisis has severely impacted legislative activities, with reports indicating only four plenary sittings in the past seven months.