Ondo Assembly Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader Resign

The deputy speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan, and the majority leader, Emmanuel Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, on Tuesday resigned their various positions.

Akinruntan, son of the Olugbo of Ugbo in Ilaje local government area, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, stepped down as deputy speaker and was consequently replaced by Hon. Ololade Gbegudu from Okitipupa local government.

In his resignation letter, Akinruntan who did not disclose the reason behind his resignation, appreciated members of the Assembly for unanimously electing him as Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly during its inauguration.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the sudden resignation of the Deputy Speaker may be due to political considerations.

According to a source, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hails from the Ilaje Local Government,the same constituency with that of the Deputy Speaker.

But another source, hinted that there has been a cold war between the governor and the father of the Deputy Speaker, Oba Akinruntan.

However, a two-term lawmaker,Hon. Ololade Gbegudu from Okitipupa was nominated to replace Akinruntan as the Deputy Speaker.

Gbegudu , 42, was nominated by Oluwatoyin James from Akoko Northeast Local Government and his nomination was seconded by Chris Aiyebusiwa from Okitipupa Constituency I.

The new Deputy Speaker served as Chairman of the House Committee on Security Matters and Community Development before his appointment

Also, the majority leader, Hon. Ogunmolasuyi, representing Owo Constituency I, swapped his position as Majority Leader with Olatunji Oshati from Ose Local Government Constituency.