AKURE, Nigeria — The Ondo State House of Assembly has declared that it will not resume plenary until Speaker Olamide Oladiji resigns following allegations that he diverted ₦44 million released by the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
The decision follows an impeachment move against the Speaker after 21 of the 26 lawmakers in the Assembly reportedly signed a notice seeking his removal over allegations of financial mismanagement.
According to members of the Assembly, the disputed funds were released for the reordering of the OSOPADEC 2026 budget. However, lawmakers accused Oladiji of unilaterally handling the disbursement without consulting or carrying other members along.
The legislators argued that the Speaker’s continued stay in office could undermine the integrity of the Assembly and hinder legislative activities. They insisted that no plenary session would be held until he steps down or the leadership crisis is resolved.
The impeachment notice is said to center on claims that due process was not followed in managing the funds, with lawmakers alleging that transparency and accountability were ignored in the handling of the money.
The development has heightened political tension within the Ondo State legislature, as the Assembly remains divided over the leadership dispute. With legislative proceedings now suspended, key government business requiring parliamentary approval could face delays until the impasse is resolved.
Neither Speaker Oladiji nor his office had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting. The accusations remain allegations, and no court has found him guilty of any wrongdoing.
The leadership crisis marks one of the most significant internal disputes in the Ondo State House of Assembly in recent months, with political observers closely watching how the standoff will affect legislative activities and governance in the state.
