The Ondo State House of Assembly is embroiled in a deepening political crisis, as its 26 lawmakers have sharply divided into two rival factions. At the heart of this discord are serious allegations targeting the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, with growing calls for his impeachment. The central point of contention revolves around the Assembly's handling of a highly controversial ₦531.7 billion supplementary budget currently before the legislative body.

This dispute has intensified tensions not only among lawmakers but also between the legislative and executive arms of government. One faction of the Assembly has vehemently accused the Speaker of gross mismanagement and misconduct, while the opposing group staunchly defends his stewardship, asserting that all established legislative protocols were meticulously followed. The crisis reached a critical point following renewed clashes between the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration over the contentious supplementary budget proposal.

No fewer than 12 lawmakers have explicitly passed a vote of no confidence in Speaker Oladiji, leveling severe accusations against him. These include the alleged diversion of ₦50 million initially earmarked for public hearings and the misappropriation of the Assembly’s monthly operational funds. The aggrieved lawmakers claim that these actions constitute a clear breach of constitutional provisions, specifically invoking Section 92(4)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which grants the legislature the authority to remove a Speaker for undermining public trust or violating official duties. They also allege violations of anti-corruption laws and a fundamental breach of public trust. Prominent lawmakers leading the charge for impeachment include Jide Oguntodu, Temitope Akomolafe, and Fatai Atere.

Sources indicate that the underlying cause of the conflict primarily stems from profound dissatisfaction with the manner in which the supplementary budget was introduced. Just months after Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had assented to the 2025 Appropriation Bill of ₦698 billion, his administration presented a massive supplementary budget. Critics highlight that this move occurred without any prior briefing or consultation with the Assembly regarding the performance of the current budget, which is reportedly only 22 percent implemented. The sheer size of the ₦531.7 billion supplementary budget, which nearly mirrors the initial approved budget, has raised profound questions about fiscal responsibility and transparency within the state government.

The opposition PDP has strongly condemned the governor’s “reckless attempt” to push through such an enormous supplementary budget so late in the fiscal year. The party underscored that the initial 2025 budget, themed “Budget of Recovery,” had allocated a substantial portion to capital projects, which have yet to demonstrate satisfactory progress. Wande Ajayi, the PDP Publicity Director, criticized the supplementary proposal for seemingly prioritizing recurrent expenditure over crucial sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. He further warned that this move could be a thinly veiled attempt to divert funds for political purposes ahead of the upcoming elections, urging the governor to withdraw the supplementary request and permit an independent audit of state finances.

In response to these grave accusations, Allen Sowore, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Aiyedatiwa, vehemently denied all allegations of misconduct or fiscal recklessness. Sowore clarified that the document presented to the Assembly was not a new supplementary budget but rather a revised and restructured version of the original ₦698.6 billion budget. He explained that this adjustment was necessitated by lower expected revenues after anticipated funds from development partners failed to materialize. Sowore emphasized that this downward revision was crucial for realistic budgeting and accused the PDP of deliberately spreading misinformation. He reaffirmed the governor’s unwavering commitment to due legislative process, fiscal discipline, and transparent governance.

As both political camps aggressively consolidate their respective support bases and hold separate strategic meetings, the escalating rivalry poses a significant threat to legislative functions in Ondo State. This ongoing political turmoil heightens uncertainty regarding the stability of the Assembly and the overall governance of the state in the critical months ahead.