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 state's conventional arrangement for sharing elective positions.

Akinruntan, who represents Ilaje Constituency 1 and is the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, submitted his resignation letter which was read on the floor of the Assembly by Clerk Benjamin Jayeiola during plenary on June 2, 2025.

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 Akinruntan's resignation, the Assembly promptly elected Ololade Gbegude, representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, as the new Deputy Speaker. Gbegude's nomination, moved by Oluwatoyin Japheth (Akoko North East Constituency) and seconded by Chris Ayebusiwa (Okitipupa Constituency 1), went uncontested.

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

Additional leadership changes saw Muritala Sulaiman (Akoko South East) appointed as the new Chief Whip, while Fabiyi Olatunji (Odigbo Constituency 1) became the Assembly's Whip.

Political Balance Considerations

Sources close to the Assembly revealed that these leadership changes were necessary to maintain the state's unwritten political power-sharing arrangements. Notably, both Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hail from Ilaje Local Council Area, while the former Majority Leader Ogunmolasuyi is from Owo Local Council, the same area as Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami.

Speaker Olamide Oladiji commended both the outgoing Deputy Speaker and 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.

The Speaker further acknowledged Ogunmolasuyi's contributions, describing him as "a stabilizer in the House and also a good and dependable ally."

These changes reflect Ondo State's ongoing efforts to maintain equitable representation across its various regions in key political positions, ensuring stability in the state's governance structure.