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THE spokesperson of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Oltunji Fabiyi, said on Monday that the assembly would not hold plenary until the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji resigns.

Speaking with newsmen, Fabiyi, reiterated that the majority of the lawmakers were in support of the Speaker’s removal.

The lawmakers accused the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of frustrating the move by allegedly persuading lawmakers to abandon the impeachment.

The lawmakers pushing for the impeachment of Oladiji, over the alleged diversion of N44m meant for the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), insisted there is ‘no going back’ on the process.

The lawmakers, challenged Aiyedatiwa to come out clean on the matter, maintaining that the Speaker had lost the confidence of the majority of members and that his removal had become inevitable.

But the governor has denied the allegation, maintaining that he has no hand in the events unfolding in the House of assembly.

However, Fabiyi, said all the lawmakers had signed the impeachment notice against Oladiji, stressing that the decision was the collective resolution of the House.

Fabiyi said the lawmakers had already informed governor Aiyedatiwa of their decision, stressing that the impeachment move was purely an internal affair of the assembly.

He, however, questioned the governor’s interest in retaining the Speaker, alleging that some lawmakers had been approached by government officials and pressured to withdraw their support for the impeachment process.

He said: ‘There is no going back. That is the resolution of members. We have nothing against the governor, but we don’t want our present leadership again. There is no reason why somebody should continue to impose himself on us when we don’t want him again.

‘I have the opinion that the government is calling some members to backpedal on the issue of impeachment. I don’t know the special interest the governor has. If there is no hidden agenda, I see no reason why he should be protecting the Speaker.

‘So I don’t know the special interest that the governor is having. At least 21 members have signed the impeachment against Mr. Speaker. To me, I don’t know the interest of Mr governor, unless if the government is telling us that they have anything or something in common.

‘Perhaps the governor has reasons best known to him for supporting the Speaker. Otherwise, I see no reason or justification for his intervention. Both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker committed the error that led to this situation. There is no going back on the impeachment; it is the collective resolution of the members.

‘I see no reason why anyone should still be backing the Speaker at this stage. We have met with the governor and made it clear that we have nothing against him. Our concern is simply that we no longer have confidence in the present leadership of the House.’

Meanwhile, Aiyedatiwa, through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, denied allegations that he was frustrating the impeachment move against the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

According to the governor’s spokesman: ‘Mr. Governor has nothing to do with what is happening in the House of Assembly and he has not prevented members from carrying out their legislative duties.

‘Mr. Governor’s interest is in maintaining peace, law and order. He is not stopping lawmakers from performing any of their legitimate responsibilities.’

The Speaker is facing impeachment after 21 of the 26 lawmakers signed a notice seeking his removal over allegations of financial mismanagement.

The lawmakers accused the Speaker of failing to carry members along in the disbursement of an alleged N44 million released for the reordering of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) 2026 budget.

Ogun State government has announced a proposed $100 million investment by Presco Plc to revitalise the Apoje Farms plantation, in a major step towards expanding agricultural production, creating jobs and accelerating inclusive economic growth in the State.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Honourable Bolu Owotomo, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement, at the palace of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, Oba Lawrence Adebajo, with members of the Ijebu-Igbo Traditional Council and Presco Plc’s National Partnership Adviser, Dr. Tunde Faturoti.

The meeting was convened to brief the traditional institution about the state government’s planned partnership with Presco Plc, for the resuscitation of the Apoje plantation, describing the investment as a strategic intervention that would unlock the plantation’s economic potential, expand agricultural productivity and generate significant employment opportunities for the people.

He noted that Presco Plc, a leading company listed on the Nigerian Exchange, had a market capitalisation of over N2.5 trillion, and is expected to commence operations at the plantation immediately after the sealing of the agreement, anticipated within the next 30 days.

He said the government remains committed to unlocking the full potentials of agriculture through strategic partnerships, responsible investment and sustainable development.

According to Owotomo, the investment reflects the vision of the governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, geared towards attracting credible private-sector investments, capable of transforming agriculture into a major engine of economic growth, job creation and food security in the State.

Responding, the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, Oba Adebajo, commended the State Government for attracting the investment, describing it as a significant opportunity for economic transformation and prosperity in the area.

He assured the government and investors of the support and cooperation of the traditional institution and host communities, noting that residents were eagerly anticipating the commencement of the project.

Speaking, the National partnership adviser, Presco Plc, Dr Tunde Faturoti explained that the $100 million investment was aimed at restoring the plantation and transforming it into a modern agricultural hub, adding that the initiative would involve replanting oil palm, introducing modern production techniques and giving the long-established farm a new lease of life.

He said the investment would cover milling, processing and the development of retail crop production, creating an integrated agribusiness operation, and noted that the project would represent a fresh beginning for the old plantation, thus, bringing contemporary oil palm cultivation and value-addition practices that were expected to boost productivity, create jobs and stimulate economy.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the unanimous judgment of the Court of Appeal, which set aside in its entirety the Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the appellate court specifically declared that the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, ‘concocted evidence in favour of the plaintiff’ and accused him of ‘flagrant disobedience to the directives of the superior court,’ describing his conduct as judicial indiscipline, impertinence and insubordination.

The ADC described the decision as a vindication of its consistent position that the case had no merit and that the proceedings were ‘fundamentally flawed in law, unsupported by evidence, and incapable of producing a valid judgment.’

‘We are also delighted that the Court of Appeal further upheld our contention that the plaintiffs lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action in the first place,’ the statement said.

‘In striking out the case for want of jurisdiction, the Court of Appeal declared that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate any legal interest peculiar to themselves, relying instead on speculative assertions that they had previously contested elections and might do so again in future, which the Court found insufficient to invoke the court’s jurisdiction.

‘The appellate court held that the plaintiffs failed to establish their claims with credible evidence. It reaffirmed that INEC, the constitutional regulator of political parties, had placed unchallenged evidence before the court confirming that the ADC satisfied the constitutional and electoral requirements for its continued existence.

‘The Court also rejected the trial court’s reasoning concerning elected members of the ADC. Despite affidavit evidence showing that the ADC had returned elected representatives, including three members from Kogi State, the trial court had concluded that those members had defected to another political party, even though no evidence of any such defection existed.’

The ADC described as ‘extraordinary’ the Court of Appeal’s finding that Justice Peter Lifu concocted evidence in resolving the dispute in favour of the plaintiff.

‘We believe this goes to the very heart of the integrity of the judiciary and the judicial process. We note that this is the second time, in cases involving the ADC, that Justice Peter Lifu has come under serious indictment by a superior court for wilful disobedience, judicial insubordination and impertinence. We therefore wonder whether such a roundly discredited judge should be allowed to sit on the bench even for a day longer.’

The party recalled that the plaintiffs, whose suit was later joined by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, had relied on their interpretation of Section 225A of the Constitution to seek the deregistration.

‘The Court of Appeal noted the contradiction in the trial court’s interpretation, stating that, having accepted the proper constitutional interpretation, the trial court nevertheless proceeded to arrive at conclusions inconsistent with both the Constitution and the evidence before it.

‘The appellate court therefore concluded that the African Democratic Congress satisfies the constitutional threshold for recognition as a political party and remains fully entitled to continue its political activities under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.’

The ADC said the judgment is significant not merely because it restores the rights of the affected political parties, but because it reinforces ‘that judicial authority must always be exercised within the bounds of the law, in obedience to superior court orders, and on the basis of evidence properly before the court.’

‘The ADC has always maintained its confidence in the judicial process. We are gratified that the Court of Appeal has reaffirmed the rule of law, corrected a grave miscarriage of justice, and protected the constitutional rights of political parties against unlawful interference.’

‘Our focus remains unchanged. We will continue to strengthen our party, deepen democratic participation, and offer Nigerians the credible alternative they deserve.’