Ondo Assembly Rocked by Chaos Amid Speaker Oladiji Impeachment Battle

The Ondo State House of Assembly is currently embroiled in an alleged impeachment process against its Speaker, Olamide Oladiji. The Assembly spokesperson, Olatunji Ifabiyi, confirmed on Thursday that the process remains ongoing, refuting earlier reports suggesting lawmakers had abandoned their plans to remove the Speaker.

Speaking in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ifabiyi stated that ongoing reconciliation efforts have not halted the impeachment proceedings. He emphasized the unwavering determination of the lawmakers to remove Oladiji from his position, dismissing any claims of misinformation regarding the status of the process. "We are still on it. He cannot continue as our Speaker," Ifabiyi asserted, adding that even Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's interventions with some members have not deterred the impeachment push, declaring, "There is no going back."

However, Speaker Olamide Oladiji has vehemently denied the existence of any impeachment process against him. In a statement, Oladiji affirmed that the issues that initially triggered the crisis had been successfully resolved through the timely intervention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). "There is nothing like an impeachment process because the issues have been resolved. There is no impeachment," he stated, further noting that a parliamentary meeting was anticipated later that day.

The Speaker also addressed a previous misunderstanding that occurred at the Assembly complex earlier on Thursday. He clarified that three youth leaders, whose presence had been questioned by some lawmakers, were merely visitors who had come to collect recruitment forms. Oladiji explained that he personally intervened to clarify that these individuals were his guests and had visited the Assembly on prior occasions, dispelling any notions of harassment despite some members' insistence that they depart.