Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji
No fewer than 14 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have thrown their weight behind the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji, issuing a formal vote of confidence in his leadership barely 24 hours after a rival group of lawmakers demanded his impeachment.
The development comes after 12 lawmakers on Thursday accused the speaker of diverting ₦50 million, passing a vote of no confidence in him — allegations the majority caucus has now dismissed.
According to a letter released in Akure by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, following a parliamentary meeting, the public was urged to ignore what it described as an unfounded attempt to unseat the speaker.
The letter stated that at no point did Oladiji misappropriate the said ₦50 million, insisting that the accusations were baseless.
It further alleged that “the 12 lawmakers are perpetual absentees at parliamentary meetings, plenary sittings and other activities of the House because they reside more outside the country.”
Describing the claims as “figments of imagination that are bereft of facts,” the lawmakers assured residents that the assembly remained committed to transparency and to delivering “dividends of democracy… in accordance with our EASE government.”
In a separate reaction, the Majority Leader, Chief Olatunji Oshati, maintained that the assembly had not discussed any impeachment plot.
Oshati said he was unaware of any formal move against the speaker, stressing that the matter never surfaced “at either the plenary sittings or any of the House parliamentary meetings.”
He reiterated the assembly’s pledge to pursue legislation that protects the general interest of the people, adding that political disagreements should remain constructive.
“Democracy will be regarded as healthy when we sometimes disagree to agree. If there is any disagreement, such should be reasonable,” he noted.
Oshati also urged the media to verify information before publication “in order not to cause unnecessary tension as the ethics of their profession dictates.” (NAN)
