Impeachment Looms for Ondo Speaker Following Aiyedatiwa’s Endorsement

Ondo Speaker Olamide Oladiji has run into troubled waters for allegedly lying that 18 lawmakers have endorsed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November governorship election.

Oladiji, who was present at the declaration of Governor Aiyedatiwa intention to seek the party’s ticket, said 18 lawmakers were in support of the Governor’s ambition.

According to him: “18 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have agreed to support Aiyedatiwa. Even those who are not in the APC are with us in this struggle and by the grace of God, we will arrive at the promised land.”

But 13 lawmakers in a statement,  dismissed claims by Speaker Olajidi that they have endorsed Governor Aiyedatiwa as candidate of the party.

The 13 lawmakers, who passed a vote of no confidence on Speaker Olajidi, said his declaration was untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary and ridiculous.

They said there was no resolution passed by the Assembly endorsing Aiyedatiwa.

According to them: “The House of Assembly operates on democratic principles, and would formally take a collective decision, follow due process and the relevant laws governing the State where it wishes to take any decision regarding the endorsement of a gubernatorial candidate.

“As Honourable members of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, we were shocked and disappointed to hear the public declaration made by the Honourable Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, to the extent that the Ondo State House of Assembly has agreed to support the governorship ambition of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

“At no point did the Ondo State House of Assembly deliberate the governorship ambition of any of the numerous aspirants that have indicated their interests to contest for the State’s 2024 Governorship Election, let alone agree to support any particular aspirant.

“Mr. Speaker lacks the moral and legal authorities to speak or pledge support for any governorship aspirant on behalf of the House without the explicit consent of members.

“Mr. Speaker has, by his unconventional and false public declaration, misrepresented the honourable House, and in so doing, brought the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly into disrepute, needless controversies and breached our confidence in his leadership.

“Consequently, we hereby pass a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji.

“The House of Assembly however reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all decisions taken are transparent enough and are in the best interest of the people of Ondo State.”