31/01/2025
Breaking News: Former Ogun Speaker Oluomo Returns to Assembly One Year After Removal
One year after his controversial removal, the immediate past Speaker of the Ogun State Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, has returned to the legislative chamber.
Oluomo, who represents the Ifo I constituency, was ousted by 18 out of 26 Assembly members over allegations of gross misconduct, highhandedness, lack of focus and transparency, financial misappropriation, and pursuit of selfish interests. Following his removal, Oludaisi Elemide was sworn in as the new Speaker on January 30, 2024.
Since his ouster, Oluomo had refrained from attending plenary sessions or visiting the Assembly Complex. However, on Thursday, he was seen driving into the Assembly premises in Okemosan, Abeokuta, and departing shortly thereafter.
Sources revealed that a court case between the former Speaker and the Assembly regarding the leadership change had been determined on Tuesday, paving the way for Oluomo’s return.
Responding to the development, Speaker Elemide maintained that Oluomo had not violated any legislative rules by his absence from plenary sessions.
“Yes, the immediate past Speaker was here today. Our legislative calendar begins on June 20, 2023, and runs until June 20, 2024. The second year will conclude in June 2025. The constitution mandates a minimum of 181 sitting days, including plenary and oversight sessions. He has not contravened that requirement,” Elemide stated.
He further explained that Oluomo’s absence was justified as the court case over the leadership change was ongoing.
“If I am still challenging a system in court and I continue to participate in it, that means I have accepted its legitimacy. So he took his time until the case was resolved. The case was determined on Tuesday, and today is our next sitting, so he is here. Legally, has he committed an offense?” he asked.
The return of Oluomo signals a new phase in Ogun State Assembly politics as stakeholders watch closely to see how legislative activities unfold moving forward.
