The Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly have resigned their positions to balance elective political arrangements in the state.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan, and the Majority Leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi resigned their positions during Tuesday plenary.
They cited the need to align with the conventional arrangement of elective positions in the state.
The former Deputy Speaker, Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hail from the same Ilaje Local Council Area of the state, while the erstwhile Majority Leader, Ogunmolasuyi, is from Owo Local Council, where the Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami, hails from.
The resignation letter of the former deputy speaker representing Ilaje Constituency 1, who is the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Benjamin Jayeiola.
Akinruntan,nwas absent during the plenary, when the letter was read.
He was elected as the deputy speaker of the Assembly in June 2023.
The resignation letter reads: “I hereby tender my resignation from the office of the Deputy Speaker effective from today, 2nd June, 2025.
“Recall the House was inaugurated in June 2023, and I was unanimously elected as Deputy Speaker by members as stipulated in our standing order.
“My resignation is borne out of the need to align with the conventional arrangement in power sharing of elective positions in the state.
“I want to appreciate all members and staff for their contributions and support.”
In Akinruntan’s place, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, Ololade Gbegude, was subsequently elected and sworn in as the new Deputy Speaker.
Also following the resignation of the Majority Leader of the Assembly, the lawmaker representing Ose Constituency, Olatunji Oshati, was announced as the new Majority Leader.
Also, Muritala Sulaiman, representing Akoko South East, was announced as the new Chief Whip, and Fabiyi Olatunji, Odigbo Constituency 1, was the Whip of the Assembly.
The Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, commended the former deputy speaker and the erstwhile majority leader for their maturity in how the transition was carried out smoothly and peacefully.
“The same thing goes for the former majority leader. He has been a stabiliser in the House and also a good and dependable ally,” he said. (vitalnewsngr.com)
