Udoh Oberaifo, the African Action Congress, AAC, governorship candidate for the September 21 election in Edo State, has condemned the suspension of three members of the State House of Assembly by the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.
DAILY POST reports that Agbebaku had during plenary on Monday suspended three lawmakers over alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers.
The suspended lawmakers are Donald Okogbe, (PDP, Akoko-Edo II), Bright Iyamu, (PDP, Orihonmwon South II) and Addeh Isibor, (Esan North East 1).
Oberaifo described the suspension of the three lawmakers as illegal and unconstitutional.
He stated that the Speaker lacked the legal power and right to suspend a lawmaker democratically elected by the people.
The AAC candidate noted that the tyranny of the Speaker clearly infringes on the rights of the people of Edo State, the suspended members and their constituents.
“So what will now happen to the lawmaking, representation and the constituents of this suspended members?
“Our courts have consistently held that disciplinary powers of legislative houses like Edo State House of Assembly do not extend to reckless suspension.
“The court of appeal in BAUCHI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY & ORS v. GUYABA agreed with the trial court in holding that the suspension of a then House of Assembly member, Hon. Gubaya, for three months was illegal.
“Recently, the court also took a similar view in case of Akinribido vs Ondo State House of Assembly.
“The point I wish to state here is that the clear malicious suspension of this members of Edo House of Assembly, for whatever reasons by the Speaker, is laughable, unjustifiable, illegal and clearly unconstitutional.”
He demanded the immediate recall suspended members in line with clear court precedents in similar matters.
Oberaifo further urged the people to reject the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election and vote the AAC as a better alternative and for credible governance.
AAC governorship candidate condemns suspension of 3 lawmakers in Edo