From Everest Ezihe, Owerri

The Imo State House of Assembly returned to crisis on Thursday, barely one month after the  leadership crisis that led to the sacking of its former Speaker, as it announced the suspension  three lawmakers.

The new Speaker, Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, at Thursday’s plenary, announced the suspension of Hon. Arthur Egwim (Ideato North) Ngozie Obiefule (Isu) and Obinna Okwara (Nkwerre)

Hon Ibeh accused the three lawmakers of failing to attend sitting during crucial deliberations like the debate on the state budget which was presented by the Governor

He said, “the governor presented the 2022 budget, the house promised to give it an accelerated hearing. These lawmakers ignored to participate in the sitting and the speaker was angry with their action, therefore they were suspended.”On the declaration of the seat of the member representing Ngor Okpala, Tochi Okereke, vacant, the house said: “He has been absent for a period more than the one-third of the sitting period in a year and that automatically attracts the declaration of the seat vacant and has declared the election to take place in the next 90 days.”

However, tension has enveloped the Imo state House of Assembly, as supporters of the suspended lawmakers from their different constituencies rejected the suspension of their representatives, threatening to protest against the decision at the state House of Assembly.