The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan, has resigned from his position, citing the need to align with the state’s conventional power-sharing arrangement.
His resignation letter, dated June 2, 2025, was read on the floor of the Assembly on Tuesday by the Clerk, Mr Benjamin Jayeiola.
Akinruntan, who represents Ilaje Constituency I, noted that his decision was made in the interest of political harmony and balance across the state.
“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,” the letter read in part.
Following the announcement, Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, representing Okitipupa Constituency II, was immediately elected as the new Deputy Speaker.
Gbegudu, a two-term lawmaker, previously served as Chairman of the House Committee on Security Matters and Community Development.
Akinruntan, son of the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, is believed to have stepped down amidst an alleged cold war between his father and the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Sources within the Assembly hinted that ongoing political calculations in the southern senatorial district of the state, where both Akinruntan and Aiyedatiwa hail from, may have influenced his decision.
In a related development, the Majority Leader, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, also stepped down from his position. He was replaced by Hon. Olatunji Oshati, who represents Ose Constituency.
Additionally, Hon. Muritala Sulaiman (Akoko South East) was named as the new Chief Whip, while Hon. Fabiyi Olatunji (Odigbo Constituency I) assumed the position of Whip of the House.
Reacting to the changes, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, commended the former officeholders for their maturity and the peaceful nature of the transition.
“The former deputy speaker showed great maturity in the way he handled the process. 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 stated.
The reshuffle is the latest in a series of political realignments within the state legislature as Ondo gears up for another electoral cycle.
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