The Edo State House of Assembly speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, suspended many members at Monday’s plenary session. The members have described their suspension as a form of political retaliation.
The House Speaker reportedly suspended Donald Okogbe, PDP, Akoko-Edo II; Addeh Emankhu Isibor, APC, Esan North-East I; and Iyamu Bright, PDP, Orhionnwon II, due to a rumored plot to remove them and other important House members.
The three responded by labeling their suspension as a red chamber tyranny, a political tactic, and a form of retaliation.
Speaking on behalf of the suspended MPs, Donald Okogbe, a supporter of the state’s impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, stated that the speaker of the House is not authorized by law to suspend a member unilaterally, citing the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution as authority.
As per his statement, “the news came as a shock and what is more important is that the rules of the House and the constitution of the country made it clear that suspension can only be approved if it enjoys the support of the majority of the members.
“So our position is that the speaker does not have the sole power to suspend. That is the point we made in the House.”
The PDP lawmaker, who said the allegations levelled against them were untrue and founded, opined that the action of the speaker “is just impunity and tyranny of the red chair.”
He also described the speaker’s actions as “tyranny of one man to suppress the democratic ideals that the House stands for.”
While also denying the allegations of knowing anything about the fetish materials deposited at the premises of the House, he noted that as a Catholic and does not get involved in rituals.
Also speaking, Iyamu Bright, PDP, Orhionnwon II alleged that the suspension was not in line with the relevant House rules and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Recalls that Donald Okogbe was the only member of the House that voted against the impeachment of Philip Shaibu during a voice vote by the legislators.
