The Imo House of Assembly on Thursday suspended six lawmakers for alleged “unparliamentary” conduct.
The Speaker, Paul Emeziem (APC- Onuimo), who announced the suspension at the plenary, said the decision was taken at the executive session.
“Some members have been conducting themselves in an unparliamentary manner thereby bringing the house to ridicule.
“We have thoroughly examined this issue at the executive session of the House and have resolved that peace and order must continue to reign.
“The executive session has, therefore, recommended the suspension of the members who have engaged in different misconduct.
“This action is in line with ensuring that the image of the House remains as it should be, while providing a functional environment and the synergy which we are required to provide to ensure all arms of government work together,” he said.
The suspended members are Kennedy Ibeh (APC- Obowo), Philip Ejiiogu (PDP -Owerri North) and Uche Ogbuagu (APC- Ikeduru).
Others are Dominic Ezerioha (APC- Oru West), Anyadike Nwosu (PDP- Ezinihitte Mbaise) and Onyemaechi Njoku (APC- Ihitte Uboma).
Emeziem also replaced the Chief Whip, Arthur Egwim (APC- Ideato North) with Obinna Okwarra (APC- Nkwerre).
He also announced that all standing committees of the House have been dissolved.
The suspended members objected to their suspension, describing it as illegal and undemocratic.
They insisted that they would continue to attend plenary.
NAN reported that the plenary became rowdy as the representative of Ihitte Uboma, Onyemaechi Njoku, tried to engage the speaker in a fight in protest.
This resulted in sporadic gunshots by security agents, while the speaker was whisked away by his security details.
Njoku, a member of the dissolved Ethics, Privileges and Information Committee, said their alleged misconduct was never brought to the committee.
He told reporters that he would continue to attend plenary sessions as his suspension was invalid and undemocratic.
Similarly, Egwim said the speaker did not follow the proper procedure in removing him as chief whip.
He stated that there were no valid grounds for his removal as no petition was brought against him and no existing case of proven misconduct.
Also, Ogbuagu said no executive session was held as the members had been waiting for the speaker to announce the venue for the meeting.
He expressed surprise at the alleged unparliamentary conduct as he had just attended his first sitting since the resumption of the House.
(NAN)