Aiyedatiwa: Ondo Speaker on his own, Lawmakers deny endorsement

Thirteen out of the twenty-six lawmakers representing their constituencies in Ondo state have passed a vote of no confidence on the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, for endorsing governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The lawmakers said Oladiji was on his own, and only spoke for himself.

Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday declared his intent to contest the November 16 governorship election in the state.

During the ceremony, the Speaker, who led other members of the assembly to the ceremony, declared that the 26 lawmakers had endorsed Aiyedatiwa to become the candidate of the party.

However, in a swift response, 13 lawmakers, led by the majority leader, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, denied the endorsement of governor Aiyedatiwa by the assembly

Others include Hon Ifabiyi Samuel Olatunji, Hon Agbulu Tope Akeem, Hon Christopher Odunayo Ayebusiwa, Hon Atinuke Morenike Witherspoon, Hon Biola John Oladapo, and Hon Afe Felix.

Ogunmolasuyi said that “we were shocked and disappointed to hear the public declaration made by the Honourable Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, to the extent that the Ondo State House of Assembly has agreed to support the governorship ambition of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

“The Ondo State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that it has not passed any resolution to endorse the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as purportedly announced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.

“We therefore wish to inform the good people of Ondo State at home and in the diaspora that:

“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 in contesting 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.”