Crisis looms in Ondo House as Ogundeji introduces self as Deputy Speaker during Plenary
***Aderoboye is not the deputy speaker in the eyes of the law – Ogundeji
*** Ogundeji’s Action uncalled for – Speaker
Leadership crisis rocking the Ondo state House of assembly resurfaced on Wednesday as the embattled Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji introduced himself as the authentic deputy speaker of the House during the plenary.
The development led to confusion and drama which erupted between the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyeloogun and Iroju Ogundeji over the declaration of the latter.
A source told Roving Reporters Onlinethat Ogundeji had earlier written his name but crossed his designation column which read member and replaced it with deputy speaker on the official attendance of lawmakers that attended the plenary.
The source who recounted the incident said drama began when the Speaker asked Ogundeji to second a motion moved by the majority leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi to confirm the appointment of Hon Rafiu Akinkolie as a member of the Judicial Service Commission.
He said “ There was confusion and mixed reactions among some of the lawmakers who are in “government” camp especially Hon. Oluyede Feyide from Ose Constituency when Iroju addressed himself as the Deputy Speaker.
“Oluyede raised a point of observation that the Assembly cannot have two Deputy Speakers at a time, hence, Iroju Ogundeji cannot address himself as such.
“The Speaker interjected and directed Iroju to rephrase his introduction and tell the House his name and second the motion in the proper way.
“Iroju consistently addressed himself as the authentic and legally recognised Deputy Speaker for the second and third time.
“He cited several legal and constitutional authorities to back up his point and said that the case of his unlawful removal is still pending before the Court of Competent jurisdiction in Ondo State and since the House of Assembly can not assume the authority of the court, the Assembly can not rule otherwise.”
It was gathered that the Speaker thereafter called on another lawmaker, Towase Kuti to second the motion.
Reacting in an interview with Roving Reporters Online ,Irojusaid: “Yesterday when the plenary started, some of the members were in attendance and the agenda of the meeting was primarily to confirm an appointment of the members of the judicial service commission that was sent by the governor of the state.
“As the plenary was ongoing, the speaker, Oleyeloogun called on the majority leader to move a motion for the confirmation of the appointment of the name sent by the governor.
“After the motion was moved by the majority leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, the speaker then called on me to second the motion and I rose up to second the motion.
“He said I should mention my name and address the house properly. In addressing the house properly,in line with the rules of the house, I have to tell the entire house and even the people at the gallery my name, who I am ,my designation and the local government I am representing.
“I mentioned my name and my designation as the deputy speaker of Ondo state house of assembly.
“Aderoboye is not the deputy speaker in the eyes of the law because I was unlawfully removed and the matter is being challenged in a court of competent jurisdiction and not until when the court rules otherwise before any other person can claim to be the deputy speaker other than myself.
“In the eyes of the law, I remain the authentic deputy speaker.”
In a reaction, the speaker Ondo state House of Assembly, Oleyeloogun described the Ogundeji’s action as uncalled for since his removal as the deputy speaker was being challenged at the court.
Speaking through his Media Aide, Mr Kunle Ajayi, the speaker however said did not risk any sanction from the House with the action.
