Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, is facing a fresh impeachment threat over allegations surrounding the handling of ₦44 million reportedly received from the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
The move against the Speaker gathered momentum on Tuesday after lawmakers reportedly secured 21 signatures in support of his removal.
Information made available has it that this latest impeachment moves comes after growing tension among members of the House following allegations that the funds were handled without the knowledge of several lawmakers.
Sources within the Assembly said efforts were initially made to persuade Oladiji to step down voluntarily in order to avoid a prolonged political confrontation.
However, the Speaker reportedly declined to resign, prompting lawmakers pushing for his removal to intensify their efforts.
“The Speaker did not resign,” a source familiar with the situation disclosed.
“The House has reportedly gotten 21 signatures to impeach him. The drama is still on.”
Furthermore, this development has exposed deep divisions within the 26-member Assembly, with members locked in a battle over accountability and leadership.
The controversy centres on claims that the Speaker, Deputy Speaker Ololade Gbegudu and the Clerk of the House, Benjamin Jaiyeola, allegedly handled ₦44 million received from OSOPADEC without carrying other lawmakers along.
Although the full details surrounding the transaction have not been officially released, the allegations have generated widespread debate within the Assembly and triggered calls for explanations from lawmakers demanding transparency.
The situation became even more heated after Hon. Dr. Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, representing Ilaje Constituency II, publicly raised concerns over what she described as financial misconduct linked to the Assembly leadership.
The lawmaker alleged that she narrowly escaped an assassination attempt and had received repeated threats because of her efforts to investigate alleged corruption, bribery and forgery connected to the matter.
Fayemi-Obayelu maintained that intimidation would not stop her from pursuing what she described as accountability within the legislative arm of government.
She also reiterated that a significant number of lawmakers were dissatisfied with the current situation and insisted that the Speaker should either resign or face disciplinary measures in line with the rules of the Assembly.
Her comments added a new dimension to the unfolding crisis, raising concerns about the security of lawmakers and the increasingly hostile atmosphere surrounding the dispute.
As of Tuesday evening, it remained unclear whether impeachment proceedings would commence immediately during plenary or whether the governor and political leaders within the state would intervene to prevent a full-scale confrontation.
Speaker Oladiji had yet to publicly address the latest allegations or comment on reports that lawmakers had gathered enough signatures to begin the impeachment process.
Nevertheless, the current crisis is not the first major challenge confronting the Speaker.
In November 2025, Oladiji survived an impeachment attempt after a group of lawmakers sought his removal over allegations bordering on financial management and the administration of Assembly affairs.
The crisis peaked when 12 lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings and passed a vote of no confidence against him, accusing him of misusing operational funds and diverting a 50 million naira public hearing grant.
At the time, the Assembly was sharply divided. While some members backed the Speaker, others boycotted legislative activities in protest.
Oladiji, however, rejected the allegations and insisted that those seeking his removal were motivated by personal and political interests.
However, the Speaker survived the removal attempt after 14 other lawmakers rallied to pass a vote of confidence in his leadership.