Ondo House of Assembly Speaker Faces Fresh Crisis Over Alleged ₦44m OSOPADEC Funds Scandal
Ondo House of Assembly Speaker Faces Fresh Crisis Over Alleged ₦44m OSOPADEC Funds Scandal
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, is reportedly facing fresh political pressure following allegations surrounding the handling of about ₦44 million allegedly released by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to the Assembly.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, the Speaker was said to have contemplated resigning on Monday ahead of an anticipated move by some lawmakers over the controversy. However, he reportedly shelved the decision following the intervention of an influential political figure in the state.
Sources within the Assembly alleged that the funds were meant for the entire legislature but accused the Speaker of failing to carry members along in the management of the money, an allegation that has reportedly heightened tensions among lawmakers.
The report also indicated that the Deputy Speaker, Ololade Gbegudu, may be affected by the unfolding crisis, while the Clerk of the House, Benjamin Jaiyeola, is reportedly being considered for redeployment.
One source quoted in the report said the Speaker considered stepping down over the controversy but was persuaded against doing so through political intervention.
Efforts to obtain comments from Oladiji were unsuccessful, as calls to his telephone were not answered and a message sent to him had not been responded to at the time of the report.
The latest development comes months after the Speaker survived an impeachment attempt in November 2025. At the time, 12 lawmakers sought his removal over allegations of financial misappropriation and failure to provide financial records to members of the House.
Oladiji dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, maintaining that the lawmakers were pursuing personal interests. The 26-member Assembly was subsequently divided, with 14 members backing the Speaker while 12 stayed away from legislative activities.
The renewed controversy also comes amid growing scrutiny of OSOPADEC’s financial management.
Earlier this month, the Ondo State Auditor-General reportedly queried seven contracts valued at about ₦6.7 billion after the commission failed to provide procurement and contract documents requested during the 2025 audit.
In February, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa redeployed the commission’s Secretary, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, to the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) following allegations involving the diversion of ₦463 million from OSOPADEC’s capital account.
Bayo-Ilawole denied any wrongdoing, insisting the funds were approved for projects executed through direct labour and that due process was followed. She was also questioned by the Code of Conduct Bureau alongside two other senior officials over the allegations.
As of the time of filing this report, the allegations involving the Speaker remain unproven, and no official statement has been issued by the Ondo State House of Assembly or OSOPADEC regarding the claims.
credit X | Roving Reporters
