Ondo Assembly member alleges threat to life as Speaker faces impeachment plot

The lawmaker representing Ilaje Constituency 2, in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, on Tuesday accused the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, of corruption, abuse of office as well as attempt to silence her through threats and an assassination plot.

Fayemi-Obayelu alleged that the Speaker was involved in financial malfeasance involving the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, meant for riverine communities in Ilaje Local Council Area of the state.

The lawmaker, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said her investigation into the matter had led to threats on her life, adding that she escaped death by the whiskers in the early hours of Tuesday.

The allegations come amid reports that the Speaker had considered resigning over an alleged ₦44 million scandal involving funds from OSOPADEC.

Sources within the Assembly confirmed that the speaker had initially contemplated stepping down on Monday but reportedly shelved the plan following intervention from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

According to findings, no fewer than 21 members of the Assembly have signed an impeachment notice against the Speaker over alleged misconduct, particularly with the issue of OSOPADEC funds.

While calling on the Speaker to resign or face impeachment, Fayemi-Obayelu recalled her role in a previous impeachment saga in the state, asserting her commitment to standing against what she termed injustice.

“I have received numerous calls threatening me to halt my findings from the ongoing investigation linking bribery, forgery and corruption between the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the OSOPADEC.

“Just now, I narrowly escaped death. This is my special message to you, Rt Hon. Oladiji, A.K.A. Landmark. The speaker of the 10th assembly. You want to silence me because you feel like I am the pillar for your issues within the house of assembly.

“This time, there shall not be any form of intimidation or threat that will stop me. I still stand unshaken by your arrogance regarding fraudulent activities of the 10th assembly. You see this stupid game of yours; it will not stand. Ilaje people will not continue to suffer while you plot with the management to syphon money meant for my people. Never. I will not be intimidated by you or your fellow fraudsters,” the lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, the embattled Speaker has denied the accusations, particularly the issue of ₦44 million scandal and the alleged plot against Fayemi-Obayelu’s life.

Oladiji challenged the lawmaker to provide concrete evidence to substantiate her claims and dismissed the ongoing plot by two-thirds of the Assembly to impeach him.

“The report is a total figment of the imagination of its authors and their nameless, cowardly sources. It is false, completely lacks merit, and is sponsored by desperate political detractors aimed at destabilising the legislative arm and heating up the polity.

“Given that the sponsors of this rumour failed to present valid evidence, the premise of this fake news is not only absurd but also an insult to the intelligence of the reading public.

“The allegation she made against me as regards assassination attempts, I think the law enforcement agent will be in charge of that to carry out their independent investigation about that. I’m a law-abiding citizen; I have been the Speaker of the House of Assembly for the past three years, and such an allegation has not come up against me,” the Speaker said.

Ondo Assembly member alleges threat to life as Speaker faces impeachment plot