The Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Olamide Oladiji may have stirred the hornets’ nest over his blanket endorsement of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as All Progressive Congress, APC, preferred candidate for the November 26 gubernatorial election in the state.
Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday declared his intention to fight for the APC ticket at the April 24 party primaries, among other 24 aspirants who are eyeing the Alagbaka Estate seat in Akure.
Oladiji is now facing legislative scrutiny and possible impeachment over allegation of misrepresenting the 18 lawmakers saying that the House had endorsed Aiyedatiwa as APC candidate.
However, 13 lawmakers issued a statement, Wednesday morning, refuting Speaker Olajidi’s assertions, dismissing claims of endorsing Governor Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate.
The dissenting lawmakers expressed their lack of confidence in Speaker Olajidi, labeling his declaration as untrue, misleading, and unparliamentary.
They emphasized that no formal resolution had been passed by the Assembly endorsing Aiyedatiwa.
Oladiji, attended Governor Aiyedatiwa’s declaration of intent to vie for the party’s ticket, on Tuesday at the APC secretariat, Akure saying that 18 lawmakers supported the Governor’s aspiration.
They reiterated the commitment of the House of Assembly to democratic principles and emphasized the necessity to adhere to due process and relevant laws governing the state in making decisions concerning 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.”
it also revealed that it ”operates on democratic principles, and would formally take a collective decision, follow due process and the relevant laws governing the State where it wishes to take any decision regarding the endorsement of a gubernatorial candidate.”
”The said declaration by Mr. Speaker is untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary, 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 to contest for the State’s 2024 Governorship Election, let alone agree to support any particular aspirant.
- Mr. Speaker lacks the moral and legal authorities to speak or pledge support for any governorship aspirant on behalf of the House without the explicit consent of members.
- 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, 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 however 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.”