Ondo 2024: Crisis Looms As Lawmakers Pass Vote Of No Confidence On Speaker For Endorsing Aiyedatiwa

13 out of the 26 lawmakers in the Ondo State House Of Assembly have passed a vote of no confidence on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, for endorsing governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress.

The Speaker had during the official declaration of Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday, said the 26 lawmakers had endorsed Aiyedatiwa to become the candidate of the party.

But in a swift response, 13 lawmakers, led by majority leader, 1, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, denied the endorsement of Governor Aiyedatiwa by the assembly.

The 13 lawmakers include Hon Moyinolorun Taiwo Ogunwumiju, Hon Oluwarotimi Babatunde Fasonu; Chief Whip, Hon Olajide Johnson Oguntodu Minority Leader, Hon Raymond Daodu Deputy Minority Leader, Hon Akinsuroju Akindolani Nelson, and Hon Aomolafe Temitope.

Others include Hon Ifabiyi Samuel Olatunji, Hon Agbulu Tope Akeem, Hon Christopher Odunayo Ayebusiwa, Hon Atinuke Morenike Witherspoon, Hon Biola John Oladapo, and Hon Afe Felix.

Ogunmolasuyi said, “We were shocked and disappointed to hear the public declaration made by the Honourable Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, to the extent that the Ondo State House of Assembly has agreed to support the governorship ambition of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.”

He kicked against the speaker’s disrespect for the independence and integrity of the house in his endorsement politics.

The majority leader declared that “the Ondo State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that it has not passed any resolution to endorse the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as purportedly announced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.

“The House of Assembly operates on democratic principles and would formally take a collective decision, follow due process, and follow the relevant laws governing the state where it wishes to take any decision regarding the endorsement of a gubernatorial candidate.

“As honourable members of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, we were shocked and disappointed to hear the public declaration made by the Honourable Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, to the extent that the Ondo State House of Assembly has agreed to support the governorship ambition of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

“The said declaration by Mr. Speaker is untrue, misleading, unparliamentary, and, to say the least, ridiculous.

“We therefore wish to inform the good people of Ondo State at home and in the diaspora that:

“At no point did the Ondo State House of Assembly deliberate the governorship ambition of any of the numerous aspirants that have indicated their interests in contesting the state’s 2024 governorship election, let alone agree to support any particular aspirant.

“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.”

He added that “Mr Speaker has, by his unconventional and false public declaration, misrepresented the honourable House and, in so doing, brought the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly into disrepute, caused needless controversies, and breached our confidence in his leadership.

“Consequently, we hereby pass a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji.”

The House of Assembly, according to him, “reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all decisions taken are transparent enough and are in the best interest of the people of Ondo State.”