Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, is reportedly facing an impeachment threat over allegations surrounding the handling of N44 million released by the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
Reports indicate that 21 of the 26 lawmakers in the assembly have allegedly signed an impeachment notice against the speaker over accusations linked to financial mismanagement.
The funds, reportedly released for the reordering of the OSOPADEC 2026 budget, have triggered tension within the assembly in recent days.
Multiple sources within the legislature said the speaker had come under increasing pressure as the controversy continued to escalate.
According to the sources, some lawmakers accused Oladiji of failing to involve other members in the disbursement of the funds, a development that allegedly heightened dissatisfaction within the assembly.
The unfolding crisis could also affect the position of Ololade Gbegudu, the deputy speaker, while Benjamin Jaiyeola, the assembly clerk, may reportedly be redeployed.
One source claimed that the speaker considered resigning on Monday ahead of a possible discussion of the matter during Tuesday’s plenary but was persuaded not to do so.
“The Speaker contemplated resigning today but did not go ahead with it. The issue is connected to an alleged N44 million involving funds reportedly released by OSOPADEC to the Assembly,” the source alleged.
“The money was meant for the entire House, but there are allegations that the Speaker did not carry other lawmakers along in handling the funds.”
Another source attributed the speaker’s decision to remain in office to the intervention of a prominent political figure in the state.
“The Speaker wanted to resign today but did not eventually do so because of political intervention. We will see what happens tomorrow,” the source claimed.
However, Oladiji dismissed the reports in a statement, describing them as false and politically motivated.
The speaker described reports of a leadership crisis and alleged 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 further maintained that lawmakers independently manage their welfare and resource allocations, while the speaker only receives what is constitutionally due to his office.
It also described allegations that Oladiji sidelined lawmakers in the handling of the alleged N44 million OSOPADEC funds as “a manufactured lie designed to create artificial disaffection where none exists”.
Speaking with journalists, Oladiji also denied claims that 21 lawmakers had demanded his resignation.
“I’m not aware of that,” he said.
“I’m a law-abiding citizen… I’m a Christian, I don’t believe in all that. Let her come up with evidence to confirm such allegations.”
‘Resign or face consequences’
Meanwhile, Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, who represents Ilaje Constituency II, claimed that she narrowly escaped death after receiving threats allegedly aimed at stopping her investigation into alleged bribery, forgery and corruption involving the speaker and OSOPADEC.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the lawmaker accused the speaker of attempting to intimidate her over the alleged impeachment proceedings.
“Let me put this short word here based on the rumour going around. I have received numerous calls threatening me to halt my findings from the ongoing investigation linking bribery, forgery and corruption between the Speaker of the house of assembly and the OSOPADEC. Just now, I narrowly escaped death. Kilode,” she alleged.
Fayemi-Obayelu reaffirmed what she described as the position of two-thirds of the assembly and called on the speaker to resign or “face the consequences” of his actions.
She further alleged that funds meant for her constituency were being diverted, adding that she would not be intimidated.