From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Amidst criticism and pandemonium that trailed last week’s suspension of six members of Im o state House of Assembly, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem has insisted that the recent actions taken by the leadership of the House followed due process.
The House had last Thursday sacked and replaced the Chief Whip, dissolved all standing committees and suspended six of its members for engaging in parliamentary misconduct.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri, at the weekend, Rt. Hon. Emeziem debunked the claims by the affected lawmakers that their suspension was illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic.
He said that the House under his leadership has remained resolute to effective service delivery and would not condone behaviours and activities from members that are capable of bringing the state legislative arm to disrepute and ridicule.
Emeziem added that the decision of the House became necessary in order to protect the image, sanctity, peace and ensure progress of the House.
He furthered that it was also aimed at safeguarding the healthy relationship cum synergy existing between the House and the other arms of government in the state, of which the actions of the erred members were constituting threats to.
The Imo Speaker who reiterated that all the affected lawmakers were guilty of one parliamentary misconduct or another, added that there was no reason for the leadership of the House to witch hunt any member with suspension or whatever.
The Speaker however described their suspension as, “soft but adequate disciplinary measure against erring members which is enshrined in the rules of the House.”
According to him “It is also our duty to run our affairs in the House of Assembly in such enabling way as to remain in synergy with the other arms of government in order to provide functional environment for the people.
“Also, we have taken time to observe unnecessary insinuations by certain members, abuse on the personalities of fellow colleagues, autocratic demands of rights and privileges without references to the rules. Some members have even derailed from understanding the primary aim and objective that brought us in the House.”
He continued, “the leadership therefore, having examined the level tension already generated through the above unparliamentary behaviours and actions of certain members, decided to take soft but adequate disciplinary measures on them towards reinstating peace and progress in the House.”
