Ondo Assembly Suspends Plenary, Demands Speaker’s Resignation Over Alleged ₦44m Diversion

The Ondo State House of Assembly has declared that it will not resume plenary until Speaker Olamide Oladiji resigns over allegations that he diverted ₦44 million released by the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission for legislative purposes.

The decision follows growing tension within the Assembly after 21 of the 26 lawmakers reportedly signed a notice seeking the Speaker’s removal over alleged financial misconduct.

The lawmakers accused Oladiji of failing to carry members along in the disbursement of funds reportedly released for the reordering of the OSOPADEC 2026 budget, an action they described as a breach of trust and legislative procedure.

Speaking on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Olatunji Ifabiyi, said lawmakers had resolved to suspend plenary until a new Speaker emerged.

“We have resolved not to hold plenary until there is a change of Speaker,” Ifabiyi said.

“For now, there is no development except that Mr Speaker should just give way and allow another person to preside over the Ondo State House of Assembly.

“If he doesn’t resign, we will impeach him. If he fails to do the needful, we will do the needful.”

However, a principal officer of the Assembly, who requested anonymity, disclosed that the state executive intervened by convening a peace meeting on Sunday in an effort to resolve the crisis.

According to the official, participants at the meeting agreed not to disclose details of the discussions but maintained that the dispute had been settled through internal mechanisms.

“There was a peace broker yesterday with the executive and we are not permitted to disclose details of the outcome of the meeting,” the official said.

“We implored internal mechanisms to address the agitations in the House of Assembly, and we are going to hold a plenary soon.”

Despite the claim, Ifabiyi insisted he was unaware of any reconciliation meeting and said he could not confirm when the Assembly would reconvene.

He also disclosed that an allegation of an assassination attempt on one of the lawmakers had been reported to the appropriate authorities for investigation.

The crisis has deepened divisions within the Assembly, with the fate of the Speaker expected to dominate proceedings whenever lawmakers reconvene.

Political observers say the dispute could significantly affect legislative activities in the state until the leadership tussle is resolved.