Ondo State House Of Assembly: Jumoke Resigns

Suspended Ondo State Speaker Jumoke Akindele officially submitted her letter of resignation on Monday 21th March 2017.

According to news reports, Mrs Jumoke resigned after several efforts to settle the the tow opposing fractions  in the House was unsuccessful.

Mrs. Akindele’s resignation letter, signed with five other principal officers of the Assembly and dated March 20, 2017, was officially received on Monday morning by the governor’s chief of staff, Olugbenga Ale.

“Our resignation has become imperative in the face of the new geographical configuration of the state so that peace, which is the hallmark of any administration, will continue to reign in the land.

“Moreover, we are desirous of moving the state forward for the benefit of our people,” the letter read in part.

Jumoke Akindele was said to have taken a sum of 15 million naira from the House’s treasury, together with about 5 other members.

Fifteen members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 5 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) carried out the impeachment at the Assembly complex.

The aggrieved lawmakers claimed that the N15 million was visibly found with Shina Makanjuola, a paymaster of the State House of Assembly.

They disclosed that Mr. Makanjuola was interrogated and confessed that the money was ordered for withdrawal by the embattled Speaker.

Meanwhile, the aggrieved lawmakers have authenticated Malachi Coker from Ilaje constituency as the new Assembly Speaker.

They also appointed Ayodeji Arowole as the new Deputy Speaker and Olamide George as the Majority Leader of the crisis ridden Assembly.

Their decision was taken at a “kangaroo sitting” of the Assembly held on Monday afternoon amidst heavy security within and outside the parliament building.