Those who signed the statement include Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Majority Leader; Olajide Johnson Oguntodu, Minority Leader; Raymond Daodu, Deputy Minority Leader; Oluwarotimi Babatunde Fasonu, Chief Whip; MoyinOlorun Taiwo Ogunwumiju; and Akinsuroju Akindolani Nelson.
Others are Akomolafe Temitope, Ifabiyi Samuel Olatunji, Agbulu Tope Akeem, Christopher Odunayo Ayebusiwa, Atinuke Morenike Witherspoon, Biola John Oladapo and Afe Felix.
The lawmakers said they were shocked and expressed their disappointed to hear the public declaration made by the Speaker that the House has agreed to support Aiyedatiwa’s ambition.
They described the declaration as untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary, and ridiculous.
The members said: “The Ondo State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that it has not passed any resolution to endorse the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as purportedly announced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.
“The House of Assembly operates on democratic principles, and would formally take a collective decision, follow due process and the relevant laws governing the State where it wishes to take any decision regarding the endorsement of a gubernatorial candidate
“As Honourable members of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, we were shocked and disappointed to hear the public declaration made by the Honourable Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, to the extent that the Ondo State House of Assembly has agreed to support the governorship ambition of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
“The said declaration by Mr. Speaker is untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary, and, to say the least, ridiculous. We therefore wish to inform the good people of Ondo State at home and in the diaspora that:
“At no point did the Ondo State House of Assembly deliberate the governorship ambition of any of the numerous aspirants that have indicated their interests to contest for the State’s 2024 Governorship Election, let alone agree to support any particular aspirant.
“Mr. Speaker lacks the moral and legal authorities to speak or pledge support for any governorship aspirant on behalf of the House without the explicit consent of members.
“Mr. Speaker has, by his unconventional and false public declaration, misrepresented the honourable House, and in so doing, brought the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly into disrepute, needless controversies and breached our confidence in his leadership.
“Consequently, we hereby pass a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji.
“The House of Assembly however reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all decisions taken are transparent enough and are in the best interest of the people of Ondo State.””