There is palpable tension at the Ondo State House of Assembly, in Akure, as armed policemen, on Friday, took over the Assembly complex, amid the final plenary sitting by lawmakers of the 9th Assembly.
From pictures and video clips circulated on social media on Friday, the entrances leading to the assembly complex were cordoned off with police vehicles.
The development came hours after the alleged resignation of Oleyelogun Bamidele David as Speaker of the Ondo Assembly.
David, in a letter dated June 1, had informed the House of his decision to step down as speaker, ahead of the Assembly’s valedictory sitting.
“Please permit me to inform you that I, Rt. Hon. Oleyelogun Bamidele David ceases to function as Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly. This follows my decision to resign from the position with effect from today.
“As you are aware, this Honourable House has always discharged its constitutional obligations as one indivisible family. That was the spirit that propped me to the exalted position as Speaker. It is in light of that same spirit that I resign from the position.
“May I use this medium to express my appreciation to ail my colleagues who have been wonderful partners in progress. I must say I enjoyed their enviable and uncommon support for the period I held sway as Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly. I will extend same level of support and loyalty to whoever succeeds me as Speaker of this Honourable House,” the letter read.
However, hours later, David has come out to debunk the content of the said resignation letter, insisting that he remains the Speaker of the Ondo Assembly.
“This is to notify the general public that,I Rt Hon Oleyelogun Bamidele David did not resign my position as the Speaker of the House.
“The purported letter of resignation which is in circulation is the handiwork of the fifth Columists who are bent on throwing Ondo State into anarchy, particularly the House of Assembly.
“The purported resignation is no doubt the the figment of the imagination of the peddlers of such heinous act as l did not contemplate or discussed such move with any member of the Assembly or family members.
“Let me tell members of the public that the purported letter of resignation did not emanate from me as it was forged by purveyors of such letter.
“The Clerk of the House, Mr. Benjamin Jaiyeola (ESQ) has informed me that he did not receive any letter of resignation which has given credence to the fact that the faceless writer is not informed of the process through which such weighty exercise can take.
“I have not informed the Executive Arm of Government of such resignation and I urge my Honourable Colleagues, Staffers of the House of Assembly, Members of my Constituency to disregard the letter in its entirety and also urge the Security Agencies to investigate this false and malicious letter that has emanated from the enemies who are working against the existing peace in the State,” the rebuttal read.
The 9th Ondo State House of Assembly is expected to hold its valedictory sitting today, ushering in the inauguration of the 10th Assembly on June 03, 2023.
