The Anambra State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that Governor Charles Soludo is responsible for suspending the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Abuchi Udemezue.

Speaking via a statement issued by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, Ejike Okechukwu, the Assembly described the allegation as false, baseless, and mischievous.

The lawmakers stated that it was compelled to respond to a press release by some federal lawmakers from Anambra North Senatorial Zone under the Labour Party, who had criticised Udemezue’s suspension.

Okechukwu explained that although the House would ordinarily have ignored such statements, it became necessary to set the record straight and prevent the public from being misled.

According to him, the disciplinary action against Udemezue arose strictly from an internal legislative matter following his use of unparliamentary and offensive language, including describing colleagues as “mad men” on social media, after he was invited to defend himself.

The decision to discipline Hon. Udemezue was entirely an internal legislative affair and not at the behest of the Executive. Every member is bound by the constitution and the standing orders of the House. No one is above discipline,” the statement read.

He added that Udemezue was given an opportunity to defend himself and even to apologise, but “consistently took the institution for granted.” He stressed that the suspension had nothing to do with the lawmaker’s oversight functions, as was insinuated in some quarters.

The statement also faulted the intervention of federal lawmakers, describing it as undue interference in the internal affairs of a state legislature.