Ondo 2024: Lawmakers pass vote of no confidence on Speaker

Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday, passed a vote of no confidence on the Speaker, Rt. Hon Olamide Oladiji, for endorsing governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for governorship ticket of the All Progressive Congress.

The lawmakers, who disassociated themselves from the purported endorsement of Governor Aiyedatiwa for the November governorship race in the state, the endorsement runs against democratic principles and there was no resolution to that effect.

In a statement signed by 13 lawmakers and made accessible to reporters, they stated that the House of Assembly functions on democratic principles and that it will formally take a collective decision while adhering to due process and the appropriate laws governing the State.

During Governor Aiyedatiwa’s official announcement to compete for the 2024 governorship election, the speaker stated that 18 members of the house have expressed their support for the governor.

According to the thirteen members of parliament, Mr. Speaker’s declaration is false, deceptive, parliamentary, and, to put it mildly, ludicrous.

The lawmakers 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 to contest for the State’s 2024 Governorship Election, let alone agree to support any particular aspirant.

According to them, “the 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.”

“They noted 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, needless controversies and breached our confidence in his leadership.”

They therefore passed a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of the Speaker