The lawmaker representing PDP Akoko-Edo 11 in Edo State House of Assembly, Mr Donald Okogbe, on Monday described his suspension as a “vendetta that was politically motivated”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Speaker of the Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, on Monday suspended three lawmakers over alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers.
The three suspended lawmakers are; Mr Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo 11), Bright Iyamu (PDP Orihonmwon South) and Adeh Isibor, (Esan North East 1).
Okogbe noted that the speaker, by the rules of the House and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, did not have the unilateral power to suspend a member.
Okogbe, who said the allegations levelled against them were untrue and unfounded, noted that the action of the speaker was unconstitutional and against the rules of the House.
“The suspension is purely a vendetta that is politically motivated.
“The speaker acted with impunity and has become a tyrant in the red chair and has become one man suppressing the democratic ideals of the House,” he said.
Okogbe, who also denied the allegations of planting charms in the assembly complex, said he was a devoted Catholic and do not involve himself in rituals
“The allegations levelled against me and others are completely untrue and as a Christian, I hold strongly to my Catholic ideals. I do not have a hand in the ritual and I do not do ritual.
“The suspension came to me as a shock but what is more important is that the House rules and the Constitution of the country made it clear that suspension of any member can only be approved if it enjoys the support of the majority of the Lawmakers.
“Our position is that the speaker does not have the sole power to suspend and that is the point we made during plenary.
“Even if that power exist, suspension of a member cannot be from one sitting and not indefinitely. Anything otherwise is illegal. The power to suspend rest on the members of the House,” he added.
According to Okogbe, I am not bothered because I know that no unjust decision will stand and justice shall prevail.
Also speaking, Bright Iyamu, (PDP Orihonmwon South) said the suspension was illegal adding that they were still studying the situation.
“We are in a meeting, when we are done, we will brief you,’’ he said.