Details surfaced last night why six members of the Imo State House of Assemby were suspended.
The House, which has been relatively quite, for sometime, was abuzz during plenary on Thursday when six members of the House, across party lines, were suspended by the Speaker, Rt Hon Paul Emeziem.
Of the Six members, four of them are of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC and the two others, are members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
They include, Minority Leader of the House and member representing Ezinihitte Mbaise, Hon.Anyadike Nwosu (PDP), Hon.Phillip Ejiogu (PDP, Owerri North), Hon.Uche Ogbuagu (Ikeduru, APC), Hon.Kennedy Ibe (APC, Obowo), Dominic Ezerioha (APC, Oru West) and Onyemeachi Njoku (APC, Ihitte Uboma).
Hon Obinna Okwara, (APC, Nkwerre), was named the new Chief Whip of the House, replacing Hon Arthur Egwim (APC, Ideato South).
Details and reasons for their suspension was not known but sources close to the Speaker, alleged that “acts bordering on uncomplimentary conduct”, were some of the reasons why they were suspended.
But an Assembly source who spoke to INNONEWS said the suspension was as a result of issues not discussed on the floor of the House.
Lawmakers were said to have had a heated argument a day before the sitting, on their WhatsApp platform, where some members expressed misgivings over some suggestions made by a top leader of the House, said to be very close to the State Governor.
The top leader was alleged to have called on members, to issue a congratulatory message for the Governor, for accepting to give the House full financial autonomy.
Some Members were said to have disagreed, on the grounds that there is no need for such since in reality the House is yet to enjoy such full financial autonomy or independence.
“How can we say we are now having full financial autonomy when the Executive still pays our salaries and allowances?
“Today, is 8th July , and we are just receiving our June Salaries, So, where is the autonomy?
This newspaper gathered that some of the suspended lawmakers, were not on sit when their suspension was announced on the floor of the House.
One of them, Hon.Phillip Ejiogu, (Owerri North, PDP) said he was in Abuja when he heard news of his suspension.
Hon.Uche Ogbuagu, who was among the suspended lawmakers, has been having it rough. He was suspended as Majority Leader of the House, and since then, he is alleged to have fallen out of favour with the leadership of the House.
He was absent at LGA stakeholders meeting between Governor Hope Uzodimma and political stakeholders from Ikeduru LGA.
