24 Aggrieved Ondo lawmakers to APC: You can’t impose embattled speaker on us

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— insist there’s no going back on impeachment, set up audit panel

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By Dayo Johnson Akure

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Twenty-four members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have declared that the All Progressive Congress , APC, leadership in the state cannot impose the embattled Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, on them.

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The lawmakers said in Akure that Oladiji must either resign or be impeached over allegations of financial misconduct involving about ₦44 million linked to the reordering of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, budget.

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Rising from a parliamentary meeting, the lawmakers also constituted a 4-member panel to look into the finances of the Assembly.

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Briefing journalists, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr. Olatunji Fabiyi, denied reports that the lawmakers had backed out of the impeachment move despite the closure of a peace window on Sunday.

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Fabiyi said that the leadership of the party had intervened in the leadership crisis.

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” We are still waiting for the leadership of the party. We cannot proceed further until the party gives us direction, so the matter is pending,”

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He maintained that while the executive does not interfere in legislative affairs, it is appropriate for the ruling party to mediate since all 26 lawmakers belong to the APC.

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According to him, the party, as a common platform for all members, is expected to bring everyone together to resolve the crisis without favouring any individual.

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“We are still waiting for the leadership of the party. We are unable to proceed further until the leadership of the party asks us to proceed. So it is pending. We are still on course,”

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“On the impeachment of the Speaker, we are still waiting for the leadership of the party. We are unable to proceed further until the leadership of the party asks us to. So it’s pending. We are still on course,” Fabiyi said.

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He said it was normal for the APC, as the ruling party, to intervene in internal disagreements.

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“The government does not interfere in the affairs of the legislature. It is normal for the party to intervene because we are from the same family.

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“APC has total control of the House. Our father should call all his sons together to resolve the issue.”

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Fabiyi insisted the lawmakers would not accept any imposition of Oladiji.

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“It is not possible. Our father will not prefer one person at the expense of the 24 members that have lost confidence in his leadership. Our father will not do that.”

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He also dismissed reports that members were induced by the state government, describing the claims as false.

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“No lawmaker received any bribe to influence the meeting or alter its outcome. We have not abandoned our position on the leadership crisis.”

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Fabiyi said the meeting was convened to enable lawmakers resume constitutional duties of lawmaking and oversight after concerns over the prolonged absence of plenary and committee activities.

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He added that members deliberated on constituency projects and the welfare of residents across the state’s 18 LGAs.

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According to him, the House deliberated on issues affecting the state, including constituency projects, flooding and other developmental challenges confronting communities across Ondo State.

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He noted that lawmakers from riverine areas raised concerns over recurring flooding, prompting the Assembly to pass resolutions and call on relevant government agencies to take urgent action.

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Olatunji said that the House adjourned to reconvene in about two weeks and directed all standing committees to resume their regular sittings and oversight functions.

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Another parliamentary meeting has been scheduled for the next two weeks as consultations continue.

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