Ondo Speaker under fire for endorsing Gov. Aiyedatiwa

The Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji, has come under fire following his endorsement of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s governorship bid.

A statement signed by 13 members of the assembly and made available newsmen on Wednesday, passed a vote of no confidence on the Speaker.

The lawmakers distanced themselves from the endorsement.

Aiyedatiwa had on Tuesday declared his intention to contest the November governorship election in the state.

The Speaker, in his goodwill message, assured the governor of the support of the members of the assembly in getting the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and winning the main election in November.

“We have about 18 (out of 26) members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, here with Governor Aiyedatiwa. The Ondo House is for Aiyedatiwa, even those who are not APC, they are in the same struggle with us. My advise to our leaders across the 18 local governments, go back to your local governments and do the needful.

“Let the reconciliation continue come April 24, (primary), we will deliver Hon. Aiyedatiwa. On behalf of the honourable members of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Governor, congratulations in advance,” Oladiji said.

However, some members of the assembly have kicked against the declaration of the Speaker, saying the parliament has not endorsed any of the governorship aspirants yet.

They describing Oladiji’s statement as embarrassing and disappointing.

The lawmakers who signed the statement include Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi (Majority Leader), Moyinolorun Taiwo Ogunwumiju (Parliamentary Secretary), Oluwarotimi Fasonu (Chief Whip), Olajide Oguntodu (Minority Leader), Raymond Daodu (Deputy Minority Leader), and Akinsuroju Nelson.

Others are Akomolafe Temitope, Ifabiyi Olatunji, Agbulu Akeem, Christopher Ayebusiwa, Atinuke Witherspoon, Biola Oladapo and Afe Felix.

“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 authority 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, 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 statement read in part.