The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, finds himself facing a controversial impeachment process just months after reportedly being forgiven for his political transgressions. This forgiving arrangement was supported by the newly elected Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, to whom the Speaker has directed his loyalty, but the tide appears to be turning against him as the lawmakers in the house now suspect his complicity in what the opposition has tagged a clear “attempt to divert public resources into political war chests ahead of next year’s elections.
A recent statement from no fewer than 12 high profile Honourable Members of the House indicates that his impeachment could occur imminently, fueled by serious allegations against him, primarily the diversion of ₦50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) that was lawfully appropriated for conducting a public hearing, along with other actions deemed grossly misconductful.
Insider reports suggest that the impeachment process is serious, as it is being driven by the inner caucus of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) within the House, which overwhelmingly dominates the Assembly.
Key figures advocating for his impeachment include the former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan; Deputy Majority Leader Tosin Ajirorutu Ogunlowo; and other notable members such as Hon. Fatai Atere and Deputy Whip Hon. Toyin Japhet. According to sources, these 12 individuals serve as the public face of the impeachment initiative.
What Fueled the Impeachment Move
A precursor to this development is the walk out staged by aggrieved lawmakers in the middle of a crisis that erupted in the Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday. Lawmakers reportedly staged a walkout in protest over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s N531 billion supplementary budget, accusing the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, of attempting to push the bill through hastily.
The supplementary appropriation bill, forwarded to the Assembly on November 4, 2025, seeks N254.4 billion for recurrent expenditure and N277.3 billion for capital projects for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
This comes barely two months before the end of the fiscal year, prompting lawmakers’ objections.
Sources within the Assembly said the lawmakers were frustrated by the rationale behind the supplementary request, especially given the underperformance of the 2025 Budget of Recovery, which had 62 percent allocated to capital projects and 38 percent to recurrent expenditure.
Reports indicate that less than 35 percent of the budgeted projects have been executed.
One lawmaker said, “What is the logic of requesting another N531 billion when the current budget has largely underperformed? Most projects in the 2025 budget have recorded less than 35 percent performance. It’s simply unacceptable.”
Insiders reported that only 11 members loyal to the Speaker supported committing the bill to the committee, while dissenting lawmakers described any further sitting as a “kangaroo session.”
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticized the move, calling it an attempt to divert public resources into political war chests ahead of next year’s elections.
The allegations against Speaker Oladiji include:
I. Diversion of ₦50,000,000.00 lawfully appropriated for the conduct of a public hearing.
II. Misappropriation of monthly operational grants of the House.
These actions reportedly contravene various legal provisions, including:
a. Paragraph 9, Part I, Fifth Schedule, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) – Prohibition of abuse of office by a public officer.
b. Seventh Schedule, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) – Violation of the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance.
c. Section 19, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 – Abuse of office to confer corrupt or unfair advantage.
d. Section 390, Criminal Code Act (Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) – Stealing by a person in the public service.
Assertions of Gross Misconduct
The reported infractions amount to gross misconduct, as defined in Section 188(11) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), significantly undermining the institutional integrity and lawful operations of the House.
Resolution
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by twelve (12) Honourable Members of the House, in the lawful exercise of authority conferred by Section 92(4)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended):
1. A Vote of No Confidence be and is hereby passed upon Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.
2. Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji be invited by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for immediate investigation, prosecution (where applicable), and recovery of all misappropriated public funds.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th Day of November, 2025.
SIGNED by the underlisted Honourable Members:
– Hon. Jide Oguntodu – Akure South 1
– Hon. Temitope Akomolafe – Ifedore
– Hon. Fatai Atere – Akoko North/West 1
– Hon. Toyin Japhet – Akoko North East
– Hon. Raymond Daodu – Akoko South West 1
– Hon. Samuel Ifabiyi – Odigbo 1
– Hon. Babatunde Fasonu – Odigbo 2
– Hon. (Princess) Oluwatosin Ogunlowo – Idanre
– Hon. Afe Felix – Akoko North/ West 2
– Hon. Nelson Akinsuroju – Ile Oluji Oke-Igbo
– Rt. Hon. (Prince) Akinruntan Abayomi – Ilaje 1
– Hon. Stephen Abitogun – Akure South 2
