The Ondo State House of Assembly says it will not resume plenary until Speaker Olamide Oladiji steps down, as a leadership crisis continues to deepen over allegations surrounding the amendment of the Ondo State Oil Producing Development Commission (OSOPADEC) 2025 budget.
Speaking to reporters in Akure on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Olatunji Ifabiyi, said the majority of lawmakers remained united in their demand for the Speaker’s resignation.
The dispute centres on allegations that Mr Oladiji unilaterally reordered the ₦9.2 billion OSOPADEC 2025 budget without the approval of the Assembly.
According to Mr Ifabiyi, 21 of the Assembly’s 26 lawmakers have already signed a resolution indicating their intention to impeach the Speaker if he refuses to resign.
“We have resolved not to hold plenary until there is a change of Speaker,” he said.
“If he doesn’t resign, we will impeach him. If he fails to do the needful, we will do the needful.”
Mr Ifabiyi declined to say when lawmakers would reconvene for plenary and said he was unaware of reports that the state executive had met with legislators on Sunday to resolve the crisis.
He also confirmed that allegations of an assassination plot involving a member of the Assembly had been reported to the appropriate security authorities for investigation.
However, a principal officer of the Assembly, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said the Ondo State executive had intervened in the dispute.
The official said a peace meeting was held on Sunday but declined to reveal details, citing an agreement among those present.
“The matter has been resolved, but I will not tell you if it was in anyone’s favour,” the official said.
The leadership crisis has effectively halted legislative activities in the Ondo State House of Assembly, with uncertainty remaining over when plenary sessions will resume.
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