Tensions flared in the Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday as members passed a vote of no confidence in Speaker Olamide Oladiji for declaring the Assembly’s support for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s gubernatorial bid.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 13 lawmakers, including House Majority Leader Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, distanced themselves from the Speaker, asserting that his declaration represented his personal stance and not that of the Assembly.
It would be recalled that Governor Aiyedatiwa formally announced his intention to contest the November 12 Ondo State governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner on Tuesday.
During the well-attended declaration ceremony in Akure, the Speaker, when given the floor, proclaimed the Assembly’s unanimous support for the governor’s candidacy.
Oladiji remarked, “We have about 18 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly here with Governor Aiyedatiwa. The Ondo House is for Aiyedatiwa, even those who are not APC, they are in the same struggle with us. My advice to our leaders across the 18 local governments is, go back to your local governments and do the needful. Let the reconciliation continue; come April 24 (primary), we will deliver for Honourable Aiyedatiwa. On behalf of the honorable members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Governor, congratulations in advance.”
However, on Wednesday, 13 lawmakers released a statement disavowing the endorsement, asserting that they were not consulted prior to the announcement.
Among the lawmakers who signed the statement were Majority Leader Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Parliamentary Secretary Moyinolorun Ogunwumij, Chief Whip Oluwarotimi Fasonu, Minority Leader Olajide Oguntodu, and Deputy Minority Leader Raymond Daodu.
Additional signatories included Akinsuroju Nelson, Akomolafe Temitope, Ifabiyi Olatunji, Agbulu Akeem, Christopher Ayebusiwa, Atinuke Witherspoon, Biola Oladapo, and Afe Felix.
In their statement, they emphasized, “At no point did the Ondo State House of Assembly deliberate on the governorship ambition of any of the numerous aspirants vying for the state’s 2024 governorship election, let alone agree to support any specific aspirant.”
They further stated, “Mr. Speaker lacks the moral and legal authority to speak or pledge support for any governorship aspirant on behalf of the House without the explicit consent of members. His unconventional and false public declaration has misrepresented the honorable House, tarnishing the reputation of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly and unnecessarily stirring controversies.”
Consequently, the lawmakers declared a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.
Last year, the Assembly vigorously contested Aiyedatiwa, contemplating his impeachment over alleged misconduct during his tenure as the deputy governor/acting governor of the state.
The tension eased in December when Aiyedatiwa assumed the position of state governor following the passing of his predecessor, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
In response to the Assembly’s internal discord on Wednesday, the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers appealed for peace.
The organization’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kayode Fasua, portrayed the governor as a proponent of peace.
“Mr. Governor is a man of peace. He consistently advocates for peace in the state. We urge the state Assembly to prioritize peace and collaborate on strategies to advance the state. Our Assembly members have previously worked in harmony, and we implore them to maintain peace and unity,” Fasua stated.
At the upcoming APC governorship primary slated for April 24, Aiyedatiwa will contend with other aspirants, including former Commissioner for Finance Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, former House of Representatives member Mayowa Akinfolarin, former Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Oladunni Odu, former Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on Health Prof. Francis Faduyile, former APC governorship aspirant Chief Olusola Oke.
Also, former Chairman of the Ondo State Oil-producing Areas Development Commission Mr. Gbenga Edema, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Dr. Paul Akintelure, and Brig. Gen. Olamide Ohunyeye (retd.).
