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Ondo speaker faces impeachment over ‘misappropriation of N44m funds’

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Olamide Oladiji, speaker of the Ondo state house of assembly, is reportedly facing impeachment over the alleged misappropriation of N44 million fund released by the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).

Reports reveal that about 21 of the 26 members of the assembly have signed an impeachment notice against the speaker over allegations bordering on financial mismanagement.

The money, said to be for the reordering of the OSOPADEC 2026 budget, has reportedly thrown the assembly into crisis in the past few days.

Sources within the legislature alleged that the speaker has come under pressure in recent days as the controversy deepens.

According to the sources, some lawmakers accused Oladiji of failing to carry members along in the disbursement of the money, a development said to have fuelled fresh discontent within the assembly.

The crisis, they added, could also affect the position of Ololade Gbegudu, the deputy speaker, while Benjamin Jaiyeola, the assembly clerk, may be redeployed.

A source claimed the speaker considered stepping down on Monday ahead of a possible discussion of the matter during Tuesday’s plenary but was persuaded against the move.

However, in a statement, Oladiji dismissed the reports as false and politically motivated.

The speaker described the alleged leadership crisis and mismanagement of OSOPADEC funds as “sensationalised, malicious and entirely fabricated”.

“We state unequivocally, without an atom of ambiguity, that Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji never contemplated resigning, nor is there any leadership crisis within the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly,” the statement reads.

“The report is a total figment of the imagination of its authors and their nameless sources.”

The statement maintained that lawmakers independently determine and manage their welfare and resource allocations, insisting that the speaker only receives what is constitutionally due to his office.

It added that claims he sidelined members in the handling of the alleged N44 million OSOPADEC fund were “a manufactured lie designed to create artificial disaffection where none exists”.

Speaking with journalists, Oladiji also dismissed claims that 21 lawmakers had demanded his resignation.