The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, yesterday, suspended three members over an alleged plot to impeach him and other Principal Officers Council (POC).
The lawmakers suspended at plenary are the member representing Akoko-Edo II, Okogbe Ojeneh Donald, People Democratic Party (PDP); member representing Esan North-East 1, Addeh Emankhu Isibor, All Progressives Congress (APC) and member representing Orhionnwon II, Iyamu Bright, PDP.
Agbebaku, who said that the trio were suspended indefinitely, alleged that they plotted to change the leadership of the House.
The Speaker alleged that the suspended lawmakers were being influenced by external forces to cause chaos and remove the leadership of the House.
He also alleged that some persons brought native doctors into the House at midnight on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, to make some demonic incantations, and dropped charms in the Assembly complex. The suspension of the lawmakers, however, created tension in the House, as the affected lawmakers kicked against their suspension.
In a rowdy session, the three suspended lawmakers were seen screaming: “Mr. Speaker, you do not have the right to unilaterally suspend any member (s) of the House. You must call for votes. Allow members to vote on the matter.”
The Speaker, thereafter, adjourned plenary abruptly. Recall that there was tension at the Edo State House of Assembly as a result of a juju scare, as a result of a strange bowl filled with some fetish materials, which was placed in the car lot where a principal officer of the House usually parks her car.
Inside sources hinted that all eyes are on one of the principal officers of the House (name withheld), who was alleged to have paid a night-time visit to the Assembly complex last Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
It was learnt that it took the bold move of some Islamic clerics to remove the offensive fetish material, which scared onlookers.
However, Okogbe has described his suspension as a “vendetta that was politically motivated.”
He 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.
Iyamu, on his part, said that the suspension was illegal, adding that they were still studying the situation.