Edo speaker suspends three MPs over alleged impeachment efforts – The Sun Nigeria

•It is a political vendetta, illegal – Okogbe, Iyamu, Oberaifo, AAC-Guber candidate

Out of Tony OsauzoBenin

The The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, yesterday suspended three lawmakers over an alleged conspiracy to impeach him and other Principal Officers Council (POC).

The suspended MPs are Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo11), Bright Iyamu (PDP Orhionmwon South) and Adeh Isibor (PDP Esan North East 1).

Agbebaku alleged in the Assembly session yesterday that the three suspended members were being influenced by external forces to cause chaos and overthrow the leadership of the House of Representatives.

He further alleged that some persons brought local doctors to the House of Representatives at midnight on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 to cast demonic incantations and perform spells in the assembly complex.

When the suspended MPs responded to the allegations during the heated session, they shouted: “Mr. Speaker, you do not have the right to unilaterally suspend one or more members of the House of Representatives.” They must call for a vote. Allow the members to vote on the matter.” But the speaker ignored them.

Meanwhile, Okogbe and Iyamu described their suspension as a politically motivated and illegal vendetta.

Okogbe noted that under the rules of the House of Representatives and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the speaker does not have the unilateral power to suspend a member.

Okogbe, who said the allegations leveled against her were untrue and baseless, noted this The Speaker’s actions were unconstitutional and violated the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives.

“The suspension is purely a vendetta that is politically motivated.

“The Speaker acted with impunity and became a tyrant in the red chair and a man suppressing the democratic ideals of the House.”

Okogbe, who also denied allegations of placing amulets at the assembly complex, said he was a devout Catholic and did not participate in rituals

“The allegations made against me and others are completely untrue and as a Christian I hold strongly to my Catholic ideals. I am not involved in the ritual and do not perform any ritual.

“The suspension came as a shock to me, but what is more important is that the House rules and the country’s constitution make it clear that the suspension of a member can only be approved if it enjoys the support of the majority of legislators.” Our The position is that the speaker does not have the sole power to suspend, and that is exactly what we have stated in plenary.

“Even if this power exists, the suspension of a member cannot be for a meeting and cannot be for an indefinite period. Everything else is illegal. The power to suspend rest Members of the House of Representatives.”

Okogbe said it did not bother him because he knew that no unjust decision would stand and justice would prevail.

Iyamu said the suspension was illegal, adding that the situation was still being investigated. “We’re in a meeting, when we’re done we’ll let you know.”

The suspension has also led to the condemnation of the African Action Congress (AAC) gubernatorial candidate for the September 21 gubernatorial election, Dr. Udoh Oberaifo, led.

Speaking to journalists in Benin, Oberaifo described the suspension of the MPs as illegal and unconstitutional, saying the Speaker lacked the legal authority and right to suspend a MP democratically elected by the people.

“What happens now to the legislature, representation and voters of these suspended members?” he asked. He declared that the tyranny of the The Speaker violated the rights of the people, suspended members and their voters.

“Our courts have always held that the disciplinary powers of legislative chambers such as the Edo State House of Assembly do not extend to reckless suspension.

“The Court of Appeal in the Bauchi State House of Assembly & Ors v. Gubaya agreed with the trial court that the suspension of a then House of Representatives MP, Hon. Gubaya for three months was illegal.

“Recently, the court also took a similar view in the case of Akinribido vs. Ondo State House of Assembly.

“The point I wish to emphasize here is that the clearly malicious suspension of these members of the Edo House of Assembly by the Speaker, for whatever reasons, is ridiculous, indefensible, illegal and clearly unconstitutional. It clearly demonstrates the directionless legislative power, perverse decision-making of the PDP-led House of Assembly and lack of respect for democratic institutions.”

Oberaifo, therefore, called for the removal of the suspended members in line with clear judicial precedents on similar matters, noting that the Speaker’s actions showed that the people of Edo could no longer continue with the status quo of PDP government and legislature in the state . He urged the people of Edo to reject the PDP in the upcoming governorship election and vote for the candidate of AAC as a better alternative and for credible governance.