Upon being suspended by Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly during a plenary session, the lawmakers have labeled their suspension as a vendetta driven by political motives.
Donald Okogbe, representing PDP, Akoko-Edo II, Addeh Emankhu Isibor, representing APC, Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, from PDP, Orhionnwon II, were suspended by the speaker for allegedly plotting to impeach him and other principal officers of the House.
Responding to the suspension, the trio criticized it as a politically motivated act of vendetta and referred to it as tyranny within the legislative chambers.
Donald Okogbe, a close associate of the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, stated that under the House rules and the Nigerian Constitution, the speaker does not possess the unilateral authority to suspend a member.
He emphasized, stating, “The sudden news was unexpected, and it is vital to note that based on the House rules and the constitution, a suspension requires the majority approval of members.”
He added, “Therefore, our stance is that the speaker lacks the exclusive authority to suspend, and that was our argument in the House.”
The PDP lawmaker challenged the authenticity of the allegations against them and criticized the speaker’s actions as an act of impunity and tyranny within the parliamentary setting.
He further condemned the speaker’s conduct as “the tyranny of one individual aiming to suppress the democratic principles that the House upholds.”
Denying any involvement or knowledge of the alleged fetish materials found at the House premises, he clarified his stance as a Catholic who abstains from such rituals.
In a separate comment, Iyamu Bright of PDP, Orhionnwon II, contended that the suspension did not comply with the relevant House regulations and the Nigerian Constitution.
It’s worth noting that during a voice vote among legislators, Donald Okogbe was the sole member who opposed the impeachment of Philip Shaibu.