The leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday prevented Governor Olusegun Mimiko from presenting the 2017 budget to the house.
Two factions of the lawmakers led by Hon. Malachi Coker and Hon. Jumoke Akindele are laying claim to the speakership seat.
Coker’s camp removed Akindele, his deputy Fatai Olotu and the Majority leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu over alleged N15million scam.
Last Monday, security operatives sealed the Assembly to prevent a fracas among the lawmakers.
It was reopened on Wednesday when Mimiko announced that he would be presenting the last budget of his administration at the Assembly.
Coker’s camp numbering 13 arrived the Assembly as early as 7.30 a.m, took over the hallow chamber and began their plenary session around 8.a.m.
They were waiting patiently for the governor to arrive the Assembly and present the budget.
No lawmaker loyal to Akindele and Mimiko were at the chamber.
As at the time the sitting was ongoing, there was confusion at the main entrance to the Assembly when armed policemen and other security operatives numbering 500 shot tear gas to disperse the crowd protesting against the re-opening of the Assembly for the presentation of the 2017 budget presentation by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The security men had mounted surveillance all over the premises of the of Assembly.
The leader of the protesters, who are mainly youths, Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, alleged that Mimiko was scheming to earn life pension from the resources of the state with his move to pass 38 bills at the end of his administration.
Ogunleye said the Governor should leave the state peacefully and not leave burden on the incoming administration with his 2017 budget.
While the legislators were in session, the Commissioner of Police, Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison came and ordered reporters covering the sitting to vacate the chamber.
Although, no reason was given for the development, sources said it was to persuade the lawmakers to suspend their sitting and allow the presentation of the budget by Governor Mimiko.
At the sitting, the lawmakers reaffirmed the suspension of Akindele, her Deputy and the Majority leader.
The Coker’s camp later ajourned the sitting till 12pm when they were informed that the governor would arrive the Assembly by noon.
The lawmakers, who vowed not to leave the hallow chamber, were seen eating their launch in the chamber around 2.30pm.
They later re-conveyed around 3pm and ajourned till tomorrow after they were informed the governor was no longer coming.
Comments