Impeachment Threat: Ondo Assembly leaders deny alleged ₦50m diversion

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Leaders of the Ondo State House of Assembly have dismissed claims of financial misconduct amid the ongoing crisis rocking the legislature, insisting that lawmakers opposed to the Speaker were acting outside established parliamentary procedures.

Addressing journalists at the weekend were the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji; his deputy, Ololade Gbegudu; the lawmaker representing Owo Constituency I, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; and Princess Olawunmi Fayemi Obayelu.

The Speaker attributed the current tensions to the ongoing budget reordering exercise, which he said became necessary to align government spending with the state’s financial constraints.

According to him, failure to adjust the budget could lead to salary delays and stalled projects across the state.

“What we are doing is not personal; this is an executive bill. Our duty is to ensure the state moves forward. We cannot frustrate the government’s efforts,” he said.

Oladiji also rejected the claim that 12 lawmakers had passed a vote of no confidence on him, insisting that no such move occurred during plenary.

“A vote of no confidence must be done formally, on the floor and communicated to the Clerk. What they are doing on social media has no legality. These same members have not been attending sittings,” he stated.

He further debunked allegations that fifty million naira earmarked for a public hearing was diverted, describing the claim as politically motivated and without basis.