The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan, has resigned from his position, citing the need to align with the state's conventional arrangement for sharing elective positions.

Akinruntan's resignation letter was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Benjamin Jayeiola, during a plenary session on Monday, June 2, 2025. The former deputy speaker, who represents Ilaje Constituency 1 and is the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, was notably absent during the session.

In his resignation letter, Akinruntan stated: "I hereby tender my resignation from the office of the Deputy Speaker effective from today, 2nd June, 2025. Recall the House was inaugurated 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."

New Leadership Appointments

Following the resignation, Ololade Gbegude, representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, was nominated as the new Deputy Speaker by Oluwatoyin Japheth (Akoko North East Constituency) and seconded by Chris Ayebusiwa (Okitipupa Constituency 1). Gbegude was subsequently sworn in, pledging to serve with due diligence.

In a related development, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, also stepped down from his position. Olatunji Oshati, representing Ose Constituency, was announced as the new Majority Leader.

Additional changes in the Assembly's leadership structure include the appointment of Muritala Sulaiman (Akoko South East) as the new Chief Whip and Fabiyi Olatunji (Odigbo Constituency 1) as the Whip of the Assembly.

Political Balance Considerations

The Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, commended both the former deputy speaker and the erstwhile majority leader for their maturity in handling the transition. "He [Akinruntan] has been a peaceful ally. He has supported the house. I want to appreciate him for the maturity displayed for ensuring a peaceful transition," Oladiji remarked.

Sources indicate that the leadership reshuffle was necessitated by the need to balance the unwritten elective political arrangements in the state. Notably, both Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hail from the same Ilaje Local Council Area, while the former Majority Leader, Ogunmolasuyi, is from Owo Local Council, the same area as Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami.

The changes are seen as part of efforts to ensure equitable representation across the state's political landscape and maintain harmony within the state's governance structure.