AAC candidate criticizes suspension of three Edo lawmakers

The African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate for the September Edo State elections, Dr. Udoh Oberaifo, has condemned the suspension of three members of the Edo State House of Representatives.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Blessing Agbebaku on Monday suspended three MPs over an alleged conspiracy to impeach him and other senior officers of the Council (POC).

The three suspended MPs are Mr Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo 11); Bright Iyamu (PDP Orihonmwon South); and Adeh Isibor (Esan Northeast 1).

Reacting to the suspension in Benin, the Edo State capital, Oberaifo said it was illegal and unconstitutional, stressing that the speaker lacked legal support to suspend a popularly elected lawmaker.

“What will now happen to the legislature, representation and voters of these suspended members,” he asked.

He noted that the Speaker’s tyranny clearly violates the rights of the good people of Edo, the suspended members and their constituents.

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

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

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

“The point I wish to emphasize here is that the speaker’s clearly malicious suspension of the members of the Edo House of Assembly for whatever reasons is ridiculous, indefensible, illegal and clearly unconstitutional.

“It clearly shows the directionless legislative power, perverse decision-making of the PDP-led Parliament and lack of respect for democratic institutions,” he said.

Oberaifo therefore called for the removal of the suspended members in line with clear court precedents in similar matters.

He said the people could no longer sustain the quality of governance and legislation of the PDP in the state.

He urged the people to reject PDP in the upcoming governorship election and vote for AAC as a better alternative and for credible governance.