Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan, and the Majority Leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi have resigned their positions.
They both resigned today at the floor of the House, reports Daily Independent.
At the commencement of the sitting, the Clerk of the House, read a resignation letter written by the former Deputy Speaker, Akinruntan, to the House notifying them his decision to resign from the position.
The resignation letter sent to the House by the son of oil magnate turned Olugbo of Ugbo of Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, 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.”
But it was the Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, who announced on the floor of the House the decision of the former Majority Leader, Ogunmolasuyi, to step down from the position.
The Speaker, however, announced on the floor of the House that Olalade Gbegudu had been selected to replace Akinruntan as the new Deputy Speaker, while Olatunji Osati was selected as the new Majority Leader.
Osati is from the Northern Senatorial District like Ogunmolasuyi.
Ogunmolasuyi is from Owo Local Government Area in the Northern Senatorial District of the state, while Ogunmolasuyi is from Owo Local Government Area of the state.
The Deputy Speaker, Akinruntan , who resigned is from Ilaje State Constituency I, in the Southern Senatorial District of the state, was replaced with Gbegudu from Okitipupa State Constituency II in the Southern Senatorial District of the state.
Subsequently, Ololade Gbegidu from Okitipupa Constituency II was nominate by Oluwatoyin Japheth representing Akoko North East Constituency and seconded by Chris Ayebusiwa from Okitipupa Constituency 1 as the new Deputy Speaker.
In absence of objection to the nomination, Gbegudu was sworn in as the deputy speaker with the pledge that he would serve in his new role with due diligence.
Moreover, Muritala Sulaiman, representing Akoko South East, was also announced as the new Chief Whip, and Fabiyi Olatunji, Odigbo Constituency 1, was announced as the Whip of the House.
The Speaker, Oladiji, appreciated the immediate past Deputy Speaker and the Majority Leader for their contributions to the stability and success of the House when they occupied the positions.
Akinruntan was absent from the sitting when his letter was read on the floor of the House and didn’t arrive till the House adjourned sitting to tomorrow.
Nevertheless, the new Majority Leader, Olatunji Osati while giving vote of thanks, said there’s no division in the House.
He said the manner the nomination of the replacements was done without rancour showed that there’s unity among members of the House.
Although, a source in the House disclosed that the change in the leadership arrangements of the House was due to the change in the Constituency of the governor.
