The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan, has officially resigned from his position, citing the need to align with the conventional arrangement of elective offices in the state.
The resignation letter of Akinruntan, who represents Ilaje Constituency 1 and is the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Benjamin Jayeiola. The lawmaker was absent during plenary.
Akinruntan, who was elected Deputy Speaker in June 2023, served in the role until his resignation. His resignation letter stated:
“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.”
Following this development, Ololade Gbegude, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, was nominated by Oluwatoyin Japheth (Akoko North East Constituency) and seconded by Chris Ayebusiwa (Okitipupa Constituency 1) as the new Deputy Speaker.
The nomination was uncontested, and Gbegude was sworn in, pledging to perform his duties with due diligence.
In a similar vein, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, stepped down from his position. Olatunji Oshati, the lawmaker representing Ose Constituency, was announced as the new Majority Leader.
Additionally, Muritala Sulaiman (Akoko South East) was appointed Chief Whip, and Fabiyi Olatunji (Odigbo Constituency 1) became the Whip of the Assembly.
The Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, praised the former deputy speaker and majority leader for the maturity displayed during the smooth and peaceful transition.
“The same thing goes for the former majority leader. He has been a stabiliser in the House and also a good and dependable ally,”
Oladiji said.
It was gathered that the reshuffling of the principal officers’ positions was necessary to balance the unwritten elective political arrangements in Ondo State.
Notably, Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hail from the same Ilaje Local Council Area, while Ogunmolasuyi, the outgoing Majority Leader, is from Owo Local Council Area, the same as Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami.
