The Ondo State House of Assembly complex has been sealed by the police after a clash erupted between rival lawmakers following the disbandment of the
The Ondo State House of Assembly complex has been sealed by the police after a clash erupted between rival lawmakers following the disbandment of the leadership of the house last week. The Speaker, Jumoke Akindele was impeached for a second time last Friday after the paymaster of the assembly was caught with N15 million cash which he claimed he was carrying to her. They went ahead to appoint Malachi Coker as acting speaker; Ayodele Arowole as acting deputy speaker and Olamide George as acting deputy majority leader in place of the deposed leaders.
Following the development, thirteen lawmakers loyal to the suspended Speaker converged at the chambers of the house early on Monday for a meeting only to be disrupted by other members who had announced the suspension. The state police command was quick to intervene before things got out of hand, sealing off the complex and stationing a detachment of mobile police officers.
It is understood that at the heart of Monday’s dispute is the question of the impeachment of Speaker Akindele, as both factions are equally split with 13 members in each group. Ms. Akindele, who’s the first female speaker of the Ondo Assembly, has denied any wrongdoing, blaming the development on the incoming government of Rotimi Akeredolu of the All progressives Congress.
