Fresh controversy has erupted in the Ondo state House of Assembly following allegations surrounding the management of about N44 million reportedly released by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to the legislature.
The development has heightened tension within the 26-member assembly, coming just months after the speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, survived an impeachment attempt by some lawmakers.
Sources within the assembly alleged that the speaker is facing growing pressure from colleagues over the handling of the funds, which were reportedly released for the benefit of all members of the House.
According to the sources, some lawmakers accused the speaker of failing to adequately carry members along in the disbursement of the money, a situation said to have fueled fresh discontent within the legislature.
The alleged crisis is also said to have implications for the deputy speaker, Ololade Gbegudu, while there are speculations that the Clerk of the House, Mr. Benjamin Jaiyeola, may be redeployed.
One source claimed that the speaker considered resigning on Monday ahead of a possible discussion of the matter during Tuesday’s plenary but was persuaded to remain in office.
“The speaker contemplated stepping down because of the controversy surrounding the alleged N44 million released by OSOPADEC to the assembly. However, he was prevailed upon not to resign,” the source alleged.
Another insider attributed the Speaker’s decision to remain in office to the intervention of influential political stakeholders in the state.
However, the speaker has strongly denied the allegations, describing reports of a planned resignation, leadership crisis and mismanagement of OSOPADEC funds as false, malicious and politically motivated.
In a statement, Oladiji insisted that there was no leadership crisis in the assembly and maintained that he never contemplated resigning.
“We state unequivocally that Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji never contemplated resigning, nor was there any leadership crisis within the 10th Ondo state House of Assembly. The report is a complete fabrication by its authors and unnamed sources,” the statement said.
The statement further explained that lawmakers independently determine and manage their welfare and resource allocations, adding that the speaker only receives entitlements attached to his office.
It also dismissed allegations that he sidelined members in the handling of the N44 million OSOPADEC fund, describing the claims as baseless.
Oladiji also denied reports that 21 lawmakers had demanded his resignation, saying he was unaware of such a move. He equally dismissed allegations linking him to an alleged assassination plot against a fellow lawmaker, insisting he is a law-abiding citizen; and challenged his accusers to provide credible evidence.