The Ondo State House of Assembly has suspended plans to remove its Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, following the intervention of the state leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The lawmakers, however, have constituted a committee to audit the finances and administrative records of the legislature.
Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Tunji Fabiyi, disclosed this on Thursday after a parliamentary session in Akure, saying the decision to halt the speaker’s removal followed ongoing consultations with the party leadership.
The move comes after 21 lawmakers demanded Oladiji’s resignation over allegations of misconduct, including claims that he mishandled N44 million from the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, and altered the commission’s 2026 budget for personal benefit.
The Speaker has denied the allegations, describing them as false and politically motivated, while insisting he would not resign. OSOPADEC has also distanced itself from the dispute, warning against what it described as misinformation linking the commission to the crisis.
Fabiyi said the APC’s intervention was necessary because all 26 members of the Assembly belong to the ruling party, adding that the matter would remain pending until the party provides further direction.
The Assembly also resumed plenary after concerns over its prolonged absence, passing resolutions on issues including constituency projects, flooding and other developmental challenges across the state. The House has adjourned for two weeks, with standing committees directed to resume oversight activities.
Meanwhile, the Ondo APC Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, confirmed the party’s intervention, saying the crisis was linked to tensions arising from the party’s recent primaries.
He expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved amicably to ensure unity ahead of future elections.
