Expressing strong disapproval, Donald Okogbe, the representative of Akoko-Edo II under the PDP, criticized the suspension imposed on him and two other legislators in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Allegations were made by the Edo Assembly Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku Agbebaku, accusing Okogbe and his peers of being swayed by external influences to cause disruption and oust the House leadership.
They were further accused of allegedly bringing traditional healers into the Assembly premises during the midnight hours on Wednesday.
In response to the suspension, Okogbe contested the lack of adherence to proper protocol, citing that their suspension was not legally binding.
He argued, “The act of suspension is unlawful as the procedures stipulated in the House rules and the nation’s constitution dictate that all decisions made by the Assembly should be through a formal resolution.
This typically involves the introduction of a motion followed by a seconding, leading to a final resolution.”
“However, in this case, the Speaker unilaterally announced our suspension without following the prescribed due process of initiating a motion, securing a seconder, or conducting a vote on the matter. Chaos ensued and the Speaker abruptly adjourned the session without any official motion for the adjournment being proposed.”
Regarding the allegations of involving traditional practices, Okogbe clarified, “The recent claim made by the Speaker alleging the entrance of a member accompanied by an individual resembling a traditional practitioner in the evening is unrelated to me.
Last week, the Speaker presented a video implying that a member had entered the premises during the evening with an individual resembling a traditional healer. The member clarified that he had merely arrived to inspect his parked Hilux due to suspicions of his driver’s irregular practices and was accompanied by a well-wisher who prayed for him using kolanut. This incident has no connection to me whatsoever.”