Imo Speaker justifies suspension of 6 lawmakers

Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem has said that last week’s suspension of six lawmakers by the leadership was constitutional and followed due process.

The house had sacked and replaced the Chief Whip, Hon Barr. Arthur Egwim and Hon Barr. Obinna Okwara, dissolved all standing committees and followed it up with the suspension of six lawmakers over what it described as unparliamentary actions on their part.

Speaking to newsmen, Emeziem debunked claims by the affected lawmakers that their suspension was illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic, saying that under his leadership, the house had remained resilient to effective service delivery and would not condone behaviors and activities from members capable of bringing the state legislative arm to disrepute and ridicle.

He further said that the decision became necessary in order to protect the image, sanctity, peace and progress of the house as well as aimed at safeguarding the healthy relationship cum synergy existing between the house and other arms of government in the state, of which actions of the erring members were constituting threats to.

The Speaker who stated without mincing words that all the affected lawmakers were guilty of one unparliamentary conduct or another, added that there was no reason for the leadership to witch-hunt any member with suspension or whatever but described their suspension as” a soft but adequate disciplinary action against erring members which is enshrined in the rules of the house”.

“It is our duty as the leadership of the House to ensure the existence and sustainance of our own Arm of Government so as to be and remain effective in the discharge of our duties. It is also our duty to run our affairs in the House of Assembly in such enabling way as to remain in synergy with other arms of government in order to provide a functional environment for the people”, Emeziem said.

The Speaker, however, gave hope to the suspended lawmakers by informing that an Appeals Committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Rt.Hon. Chyna Amarachi Iwuanyanwu has been set up to entertain any grievances or whatever regarding the suspension and related matters and maintained that there was nothing shameful or thuggery in the suspension order as claimed in some quarters.