Tension heightened at the Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday as suspected hoodlums reportedly invaded the Assembly complex amid the ongoing leadership crisis and moves to impeach the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, SavannahNewnow Reports.
According to reports, the suspected thugs, said to have come from Ondo township, the constituency of the embattled Speaker, were seen moving from one office to another within the Assembly premises without any clearly stated mission.
The development reportedly caused apprehension among staff and lawmakers as the political crisis surrounding the Speaker’s position continues to deepen.
A staff member of the Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the hoodlums were eventually displaced following the intervention of a member of the House, Hon. Olajide Oguntodu, some other lawmakers and security personnel.
The invasion comes against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership crisis in the 26-member Assembly, with a majority of lawmakers pushing for the removal of Oladiji.
Earlier reports indicated that 21 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against the Speaker over allegations of financial misconduct, including claims surrounding an alleged ₦44 million transaction linked to the reordering of the budget of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC). Oladiji has consistently denied the allegations.
The crisis escalated further after 24 lawmakers reportedly declared support for the Speaker’s removal, insisting that they had lost confidence in his leadership.
The latest invasion has further heightened concerns over the safety of lawmakers, staff and the integrity of the legislative process as efforts to resolve the leadership crisis continue.
