The Ondo State House of Assembly has temporarily suspended further action on the impeachment process against Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, pending intervention by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The decision follows growing internal opposition to the Speaker’s leadership, with lawmakers accusing him of financial misconduct, lack of transparency, and poor management of the Assembly’s affairs.

FG To Begin Outstanding Wage Award Payment Mid-August

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, disclosed the development while addressing journalists at the Assembly complex in Akure on Wednesday. He confirmed that 21 of the 26 members of the House had signed an impeachment notice against Oladiji and initially gave him until Sunday, August 2, to voluntarily resign. However, the lawmakers decided to suspend the process to allow the APC leadership to intervene and seek a political resolution to the crisis.

According to Ifabiyi, the impeachment plan has not been abandoned but merely placed on hold pending consultations with party leaders. He explained that since all 26 lawmakers were elected on the APC platform, it was appropriate for the party to mediate in the dispute before any final decision is taken.

“We are still waiting for the leadership of the party. We cannot proceed further until the party gives us direction, so the matter is pending. We are still on course, but we believe our party leaders should first engage all concerned parties,” Ifabiyi said.

The lawmaker described the crisis as an internal family affair within the APC, expressing confidence that the party’s leadership would convene all stakeholders to resolve the differences amicably. However, he cautioned against any attempt by the party to protect the Speaker at the expense of the overwhelming majority of lawmakers.

“Our father should call all his sons together to discuss whatever crisis has arisen so that it can be resolved. But our father will not prefer one person at the expense of the other 26 members. The fact remains that we want to change the kind of leadership we currently have,” he stated.

Ifabiyi also stressed that while the executive arm of government has no constitutional role in the legislature’s internal affairs, the APC, as the political platform that produced all members of the Assembly, has a legitimate responsibility to facilitate reconciliation and preserve unity within its ranks.

Despite the leadership crisis, the House assured residents of Ondo State that legislative activities would continue uninterrupted. Ifabiyi explained that the Assembly reconvened in response to public concerns over the prolonged absence of plenary sittings and has since considered and passed several resolutions aimed at promoting development across the state.

As part of efforts to improve transparency and accountability, the Assembly has also constituted an audit committee to examine its financial and administrative records. The committee is expected to review the House’s operations, identify any irregularities, and make recommendations where necessary.

The unfolding crisis marks one of the most significant internal leadership disputes in the Ondo State House of Assembly in recent years and is expected to test the APC’s ability to manage internal disagreements ahead of future political activities in the state. Party leaders are now expected to determine whether reconciliation is possible or whether the impeachment process will proceed once consultations are concluded.