The African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate for the September election in Edo State, Dr Udoh Oberaifo, has condemned the suspension of three members of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Speaker of House, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku, on Monday suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers council (POC).
The three suspended lawmakers are Mr Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo 11); Bright Iyamu (PDP Orihonmwon South); and Adeh Isibor, (Esan North East 1).
Reacting to the suspension in Benin, Edo State capital, Oberaifo said it was illegal and unconstitutional, stressing that the speaker lacked the legal backing to suspend a lawmaker democratically elected by the people.
“So what will now happen to the lawmaking, representation and the constituents of these suspended members,” he asked.
He noted that the tyranny of the speaker clearly infringes on the rights of the good people of Edo, the suspended members and their constituents.
“Our courts have consistently held that disciplinary powers of legislative houses like the 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 the case of Akinribido v Ondo State House of Assembly.
“The point I wish to state here is that the clear malicious suspension of the members of Edo house of assembly for whatever reasons by the speaker, is laughable, unjustifiable, illegal and clearly unconstitutional.
“It clearly shows the directionless lawmaking powers, offside decision making of the PDP led house of assembly, and lack of respect for democratic institutions, ” he said.
Oberaifo therefore called for the recall of the suspended members in line with clear court precedents in similar matters.
He said the people can no longer continue with the quality of governance and lawmaking by PDP in the state.
He urged the people to reject the PDP in the forthcoming governorship elections and vote for AAC as a better alternative and for credible governance.