Ondo Assembly Leaders Address Crisis, Deny ₦50m Public Hearing Allegation

The leadership of the Ondo State House of Assembly at the weekend addressed journalists over the ongoing crisis in the House, denying allegations of financial mismanagement and insisting that the lawmakers opposed to the Speaker were acting outside legislative procedure.

Speaking at the briefing were the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu; Member representing Owo Constituency I, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; and Hon. Princess Olawunmi Fayemi-Obayelu.

The Speaker explained that the disagreement within the House stemmed from the ongoing budget reordering process, necessitated by the state’s current financial realities. He said the government must reduce the budget to avoid salary delays and stalled projects.

“What we are doing is not personal; this is an executive bill. Our duty is to ensure the state moves forward. We cannot frustrate the government’s efforts,” he said.

Oladiji dismissed the purported vote of no confidence allegedly passed by 12 lawmakers, saying no such action took place on the floor of the House.

“A vote of no confidence must be done formally, on the floor, and communicated to the Clerk. What they are doing on social media has no legality. These same members have not been attending sittings,” he stated.

Responding to allegations that ₦50 million meant for a public hearing was diverted, the Speaker dismissed the allegation, saying such claim was politically motivated.

“ I do not have access to cash; I can only give approval. The House runs a transparent financial process,” he explained.

Joining the Speaker,Deputy Speaker Gbegudu said the actions of the dissenting lawmakers violated the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

“You do not issue a vote of no confidence online. You must attend sittings, follow procedures, and file properly. Some of them have not met attendance requirements under the law,” he added.

Also,Hon. Princess Fayemi-Obayelu criticised the absentee lawmakers, stating that they abandoned their duties yet accuse the leadership of wrongdoing.

“Some of them are chairmen of committees who never attended public hearings.You cannot stay thousands of miles away and lead your people,” she said.

Hon. Ogunmolasuyi described the situation as “pure politics,” saying personal ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections were partly responsible.

Ogunmolasuyi who is the Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation took time to explain that the revised budget was in order to meet the current reality.”Our Priority Is Peace and Legislative Productivity”.

The leaders collectively appealed for calm, saying the Assembly remains focused on passing pending bills and ensuring collaboration with the executive for the benefit of the people.

“At the end of the 10th Assembly, we must be able to account for our achievements. Politics should not derail governance,” they concluded.

Meanwhile, 14 members out of the 26 members of the House of Assembly had passed vote of confidence in the Speaker.

The 14 lawmakers, during the parliamentary meeting, asked people of the state to discountenance the call for removal of the speaker for purported gross misconduct.

The vote of confidence is contained in a letter made available to journalists after the parliamentary meeting, by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Ololade Gbegudu.

The letter said that the Speaker did not at anytime divert N50 million as alleged by the aggrieved 12 lawmakers.

According to the letter, the 12 lawmakers are perpetual absentees at parliamentary meetings,plenary sittings and other activities of the House because they reside more outside the country.

The letter said that the allegations against the speaker are figments of imagination that are bereft of facts.

It assured the people of the state of continued transparency to bring more dividends of democracy to people in accordance with our EASE government.

The 14 members that signed the letter are: Olamide Oladiji, Ololade Gbegudu, ​, Olatunji Oshati, Suleiman Murtala;Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi and Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu.

Others are: Allen Oluwatoyin, Oladapo Biola, Witherspoon Atinuke,Dr Ogunlana Christopher, Mr Chris Ayebusiwa, Kolawole Ologede, Mr Tope Agbulu.