Ondo Assembly Crisis Deepens As Lawmakers Accuse Aiyedatiwa Of Interference

Ondo Assembly Crisis Deepens as Lawmakers Accuse Aiyedatiwa of Interference The leadership crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly escalated on Monday as 21 of the 26 lawmakers accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of interfering in the legislature’s internal affairs, insisting that the planned removal of Speaker Olamide Oladiji remains “non-negotiable. Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, alleged that the governor was attempting to shield the Speaker from impeachment over claims of unilateral reordering of the ₦9.2 billion Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget and the alleged mismanagement of ₦44 million. The lawmakers maintained that the matter falls exclusively within the Assembly’s constitutional powers and is not subject to executive interference.Fabiyi said the lawmakers had resolved not to resume plenary until there is a change in the Assembly’s leadership, adding that the governor initially requested a seven-day period for dialogue, which was later extended to 14 days following meetings with the aggrieved legislators. Responding to the political developments, Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, said Governor Aiyedatiwa remains focused on governance and is committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing ongoing federal projects and development initiatives in the state. The Assembly crisis has intensified in recent days, with legislative activities remaining suspended as the standoff between the Speaker and the majority of lawmakers shows no sign of an immediate resolution.