The impeachment move against the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has been temporarily stalled following the intervention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has commenced efforts to resolve the crisis rocking the state legislature.
The development followed a meeting between APC leaders and lawmakers involved in the dispute on Friday, where the party reportedly appealed to all parties to embrace peace and maintain the status quo while consultations continue.
A source familiar with the meeting disclosed on Sunday that the party was concerned about the implications of a prolonged crisis in the Assembly, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
“The meeting was basically to appeal to both sides to calm down. The party does not want the matter to escalate beyond what it is at the moment. The position for now is that the status quo should remain while the leadership continues with consultations,” the source said.
According to the source, lawmakers championing the impeachment move were advised not to take any further action pending the outcome of the party’s mediation efforts.
The source, however, clarified that the intervention did not amount to the withdrawal of the allegations against the Speaker.
“The lawmakers were asked to sheath their swords for now. Nobody was told that the issues they raised had been swept under the carpet. The party simply wants everybody to allow the mediation process to continue.
“The impeachment matter has not been withdrawn. What happened is that there is now a window for political intervention. The party wants to see whether the issues can be resolved without allowing the House to go into another round of confrontation,” the source added.
The crisis deepened after some lawmakers accused Oladiji of financial misconduct and abuse of office, particularly over an alleged N44 million transaction linked to the reordering of the 2026 budget of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
The Speaker has consistently denied the allegations, describing the impeachment move as politically motivated. He was also said to have reached out to political stakeholders across the state in a bid to secure support and intervention.
The impeachment plot reportedly commenced with 21 of the 26 lawmakers signing a notice demanding the Speaker’s resignation or removal. The number was later said to have increased to 24 lawmakers, highlighting the growing opposition against his leadership within the Assembly.
The development heightened tensions in the legislature, with lawmakers sharply divided over the leadership of the House and the circumstances surrounding the alleged financial transaction.