The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Abayomi Akinruntan, and the Majority Leader, Mr Ogunmolasuyi, have resigned from their respective positions.

Akinruntan represents Ilaje Constituency 1, while Ogunmolasuyi represents Owo Constituency 1; both are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The pair announced their resignations on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s plenary session, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mr Olamide Oladiji.

READ ALSO: Ondo Gov Election Tribunal Fixes Date For Judgment

Akinruntan cited political power-sharing arrangements within the state as the reason for his resignation.

In the wake of these developments, Mr Ololade Gbegudu, representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, has been selected as the new Deputy Speaker, while Mr Olatunji Oshati, from Ose State Constituency, has assumed the role of Majority Leader.

Details later…

Ex-Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, alongside Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has arrived in Abuja for the National Political Consultative Group (North) meeting.

Atiku announced their arrival in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he shared a video showing himself and Obi exchanging pleasantries with key stakeholders ahead of the event.

“Peter Obi and I just arrived at the Abuja Continental Hotel for the National Political Consultative Group (North) event. -AA,” Atiku wrote in the accompanying caption.

READ ALSO:Chaos Erupts As Jigawa Delegates Disrupt Atiku, Obi Coalition Meeting

In a 33-minute video obtained by our correspondent, Obi is seen addressing attendees, speaking on the country’s current challenges and highlighting how widespread poverty has hindered industrial growth.

Obi spoke about the potential of the North and emphasised the worsening poverty across the country, which has led to growing unease throughout the nation.

He said, “I have always said the North can change Nigeria. The greatest asset of this country is in the North…”

READ ALSO:Why We Visited Buhari – Atiku

While the exact purpose and scope of the group remain unclear, it is believed to be a coalition platform being explored by northern political stakeholders in preparation for the 2027 presidential elections.

The meeting has drawn several prominent political figures, party leaders, and elder statesmen amid growing discussions of a possible grand coalition among opposition parties ahead of the next general elections.

Notable attendees include Rotimi Amaechi, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Adolphus Wabara, and Baba Chir Lawal, among others.

A high-level coalition meeting involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and others descended into chaos as delegates from Jigawa State disrupted the proceedings.

The ongoing coalition meeting at the Abuja Continental Hotel, organised by the National Political Consultative Group (North), was briefly disrupted following a disagreement over representation for Jigawa State.

Tensions rose when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced a delegate to speak for the state.

READ ALSO: How I Made $1m In Two Years Performing Farm Chores Naked — Woman

In protest, several Jigawa delegates stormed the stage, blocking the individual from speaking and insisting they would not be represented by those named.

As the confrontation escalated, security personnel, including members of the Nigerian Police, DSS, and private guards, quickly formed a protective barrier around key figures such as Atiku, Amaechi and others.

Calm was restored after several minutes of appeals, as Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, along with another delegate, was chosen to speak on behalf of the state.