Two Principal Officers Resign in Ondo State House of Assembly
In a major development at the Ondo State House of Assembly, two principal officers — Deputy Speaker Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan and Majority Leader Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi — have officially resigned from their respective positions. The announcement, made on June 2, 2025, marks a significant political realignment driven largely by local power-sharing dynamics in the state.
Their
resignations come less than two years after the current Assembly was
inaugurated in June 2023, and have since triggered a wave of leadership changes
within the legislative arm. While both resignations were peaceful and devoid of
controversy, political analysts point to zoning conventions and the need to
maintain ethnic and regional balance as key factors behind the decisions.
Hon.
Abayomi Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa both hail from Ilaje Local
Government Area in the southern senatorial district of the state. On the other
hand, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi shares his Owo origin with the current Deputy
Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami.
This
overlap in regional representation appears to have prompted the Assembly to revisit
the state's informal power-sharing formula, which aims to balance major
political offices among the state’s diverse constituencies.
In a formal
letter read by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Benjamin Jayeiola, Hon. Akinruntan
explained the rationale behind his decision. According to him, the move was
aimed at respecting the unwritten but long-standing convention of regional
equity within the leadership structure of Ondo State.
“I hereby
tender my resignation from the office of the Deputy Speaker effective from
today, 2nd June, 2025,” the letter reads.
“Recall
that the House was inaugurated in June 2023, and I was unanimously elected as
Deputy Speaker 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.”
Observers
have praised Akinruntan’s gesture as an act of maturity and political stability,
given the sensitive nature of regional balance in Ondo politics.
Unlike his
colleague, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi did not publicly state any reasons for his
resignation as Majority Leader. However, insiders within the Assembly suggest
that his exit was part of the same broader restructuring agenda that prompted
Akinruntan’s resignation.
Ogunmolasuyi’s
tenure as Majority Leader was noted for his active engagement in legislative
debates and strong alignment with the executive arm of government. His
departure, though quiet, is seen as symbolic of a reshuffling process aimed at
reinforcing inclusion.
Following
Akinruntan’s resignation, the House moved quickly to fill the vacant position. Hon.
Ololade Gbegude, representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, was nominated by Hon.
Oluwatoyin Japheth (Akoko North-East) and seconded by Hon. Chris Ayebusiwa
(Okitipupa Constituency 1). Gbegude was subsequently sworn in as Deputy Speaker
and pledged to serve with commitment and a sense of purpose.
Similarly,
the Assembly announced other changes:
- Hon. Muritala Sulaiman (Akoko South-East)
was appointed as the new Chief Whip
- Hon. Fabiyi Olatunji (Odigbo Constituency
1) was named Whip of the House
These
changes were welcomed by House members, and no objections were raised during
the process, which observers described as smooth and democratic.
The Speaker
of the House, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, commended both Akinruntan and
Ogunmolasuyi for what he described as “mature and selfless conduct.” He noted
that the peaceful nature of the transition sets a strong example for democratic
institutions across the country.
“This is
how politics should be — guided by conscience, service, and collective
interest,” he said.
“Our Assembly remains united and focused on delivering legislative excellence.”
Political
observers view the changes as part of strategic positioning stressing that
internal balancing within the ruling party political structures is seen as
essential for maintaining public confidence and political harmony. Ensuring that
no two top officers come from the same local government area, the state avoids
internal rivalry and encourages greater inclusion of minority voices within the
corridors of power.
The
resignation of two top leaders in the Ondo State House of Assembly reflects a strategic
shift toward regional balance and political equity. In a country where
leadership positions often ignite fierce competition along regional lines, the
peaceful and principled nature of this transition is commendable.
As new leaders’ step into their roles, the people of Ondo State will be watching closely — expecting greater representation, legislative focus, and a commitment to the development of all constituencies.
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