Ondo Lawmakers Disown Speaker’s Endorsement of Aiyedatiwa
A group of Ondo State House of Assembly members have publicly renounced the Speaker’s endorsement of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s gubernatorial campaign.
The Speaker, Olamide Oladiji had earlier announced that the Assembly has endorsed Aiyedatiwa for the November poll.
But a statement signed by 13 members and made available to newsmen on Wednesday contradicts this endorsement.
The lawmakers lack confidence in the Speaker and says he has no right to speak for the Assembly without consensus.
Aiyedatiwa had declared his interest on Tuesday in Akure and the Speaker in a gesture of magnanimity promised the governor the Assembly’s support to get the APC ticket and win the November election.
Oladiji said “We have 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. Go back to your local governments and do the needful, our leaders across the 18 local governments.”
“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.”
But the 13 members have faulted the Speaker’s statement saying the Assembly has not formally endorsed any candidate.
They described the Speaker’s statement as “shameful” and “disappointing.”
The signatories to the statement are Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi (Majority Leader), Moyinolorun Taiwo Ogunwumiju (Parliamentary Secretary), Oluwarotimi Fasonu (Chief Whip) among others.
The statement reads in part, “At no time did the Ondo State House of Assembly deliberate on the governorship ambition of any of the numerous aspirants that have indicated interest to contest the 2024 governorship election, let alone agree to support any aspirant.
“Mr Speaker has no moral and legal right to speak or pledge support for any governorship aspirant on behalf of the House without the consent of members.
“Mr Speaker has by his public declaration, misrepresent the honourable House and in doing so, has brought the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly into disrepute, caused unnecessary crisis and breached our trust in his leadership.”
“Consequently, we hereby pass a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji.”
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