The crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly took a new twist on Friday following the passage of a vote of no confidence on the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.

With the development signalling impeachment proceedings against the Speaker, 12 of the 26 lawmakers accused Oladiji of gross misconduct.

The lawmakers, who signed the impeachment notice, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct an immediate investigation, prosecution, and recovery of all misappropriated public funds under Oladiji’s watch.

The crisis began in the Assembly a few days ago after lawmakers staged a walkout in protest over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s N531 billion supplementary budget. They accused Oladiji of attempting to push the bill through hastily, despite the poor performance of the 2025 budget, with less than two months to the end of the fiscal year.

The lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice include Jide Oguntodu (Akure South 1), Temitope Akomolafe (Ifedore), Fatai Atere (Akoko North/West 1), Toyin Japhet (Akoko North East), Raymond Daodu (Akoko South West 1) and Samuel Ifabiyi (Odigbo 1).

Others include Babatunde Fasonu (Odigbo 2), Oluwatosin Ogunlowo (Idanre), Afe Felix (Akoko North/West 2), Nelson Akinsuroju (Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo), Akinruntan Abayomi (Ilaje 1) and Stephen Abitogun (Akure South 2).

The lawmakers in the notice accused the Speaker of allegedly diverting the sum of N50 million appropriated for the conduct of a public hearing, as well as misappropriating monthly operational grants of the House.

According to the lawmakers, the acts by the Speaker contravened paragraph 9, Part I, Fifth Schedule, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), prohibition of abuse of office by a public officer, as well as the Seventh Schedule, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) – violation of the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance.

“Section 19, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 – abuse of office to confer corrupt or unfair advantage, Section 390, Criminal Code Act (Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) – stealing by a person in the public service.

“The said infractions amount to gross misconduct within the meaning ascribed by Section 188(11) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) (applied by necessary implication), and have gravely impaired the institutional integrity and lawful operations of the House,” the lawmakers stated.

Reacting to the development, an aide to the Speaker, who craved anonymity, described the impeachment threat as “a political storm in a teacup”, stressing that it is dead on arrival.