Ondo Assembly Crisis Deepens Over N44m Speaker Dispute

The crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly has deepened after a majority of lawmakers insisted that Speaker Olamide Oladiji must step down over allegations linked to OSOPADEC funds.

Premium Times reported that the lawmakers said plenary would not resume until a new speaker emerged. Daily Post reported that 21 of the 26 members were pushing for Oladiji’s removal and accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of interfering in an internal legislative matter.

The dispute centres on allegations that the speaker mismanaged N44 million connected to the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission. Daily Post also reported claims that he unilaterally reordered OSOPADEC’s 2025 budget of N9.2 billion.

The lawmakers spoke through the House information committee chairman, identified in the reports as Olatunji Ifabiyi or Fabiyi. They said their demand for a change in leadership was final.

Oladiji has not been removed as speaker in the verified reports. The state assembly crisis has, however, stalled legislative activity and widened a political dispute now involving lawmakers, the speaker and the governor.

Sources: Premium Times, Daily Post