The political tension in the Ondo State House of Assembly took a dramatic turn on Thursday as fourteen lawmakers threw their weight behind the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji Adesanmi, dismissing attempts to remove him as unfounded and politically driven, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
In a jointly signed resolution, the lawmakers urged the public to disregard an earlier vote of no confidence reportedly issued by another faction of the Assembly.
They insisted that the allegations of gross misconduct levied against the Speaker have no basis in law or fact.
The pro-Oladiji members stated that references to Section 92(4)(c) of the 1999 Constitution in the purported removal process were misleading, noting that no such constitutional provision exists. They emphasized that any attempt to remove a Speaker must strictly adhere to Order II, Rule 9 of the House Standing Orders, not through press statements or social media publications.
The group also debunked allegations that the Speaker diverted N50 million, describing the claim as a “fabrication orchestrated to mislead the public.” They accused some anti-Oladiji lawmakers of being “perpetual absentees” who hardly participate in legislative duties because they “reside more outside the country than in their constituencies.”
According to them, accusations of misappropriation of the House’s monthly operational grants were “malicious, misleading, and entirely unfounded.”
“We hereby pass a vote of confidence on Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji Adesanmi and the leadership of the House,” the resolution declared.
The lawmakers further commended the cordial working relationship between Speaker Oladiji and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. They said the Speaker has demonstrated transparency and a firm commitment to the development of Ondo State under the administration’s EASE agenda.
They assured the public that the legislative arm would continue to operate with openness, accountability, and dedication to service.
Lawmakers Who Signed the Confidence Vote
The resolution was endorsed by the Speaker and 13 other lawmakers across various constituencies:
Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji Adesanmi – Ondo East
Rt. Hon. Gbegudu Ololade James – Okitipupa II
Hon. (Chief) Oshati Olatunji Emmanuel – Ose
Hon. Suleiman Murtala – Akoko South-East
Hon. Ogunwumiju MoyinOlorun Taiwo – Ondo West I
Hon. Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi – Owo I
Hon. (Princess) Fayemi-Obayelu Olawumi – Ilaje II
Hon. (Primate) Allen Messiah Oluwatoyin – Ese-Odo
Hon. Oladapo John Biola – Ondo West II
Hon. (Prophetess) Witherspoon Atinuke M. – Owo II
Hon. (Dr.) Ogunlana Christopher – Irele
Hon. Ayebusiwa Odunayo Chris – Okitipupa I
Hon. Ologede Kolawole Micheal – Akure North
Hon. Agbulu Tope Akeem – Akoko South-West II
