Thirteen out of the twenty-six lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly have issued a vote of no confidence on the Speaker, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, for allegedly endorsing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
News About Nigeria gathered that the dispute arose following Aiyedatiwa’s declaration of intent to contest the November 16 governorship election in the state, during which Speaker Oladiji, along with other assembly members, purportedly endorsed Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy.
However, the thirteen lawmakers, led by the majority leader, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, denied the endorsement, claiming that the assembly had not passed any resolution to endorse Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Among the lawmakers who denied the endorsement are 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, among others.
Ogunmolasuyi expressed disappointment with the Speaker’s public declaration, describing it as disrespectful to the independence and integrity of the house.
He stated that the House of Assembly operates on democratic principles and would follow due process before endorsing any gubernatorial candidate.
He said, “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.”
Consequently, the lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence in Speaker Oladiji’s leadership, accusing him of misrepresenting the House and breaching their confidence.
