The recent suspension of six members of the Imo State House of Assembly has been described as unconstitutional and counterproductive to the development of the state.
The state chairman of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Victor Chidi Diala, said this during an interview in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Diala said the speaker has no such power to suspend a fellow lawmaker who was democratically elected like him.
He cited session 39 sub-section (1) 40 of the 1999 constitution as amended where it was clearly stated that a lawmaker can only vacate his or her office by the reason of death, resignation or a recall by their constituencies, not by a mere pronouncement of the speaker.
According to him, “suspending six lawmakers automatically means that six LGAs with over 1.8 million people have been suspended.
“In as much as I do not hold brief for the suspended members, but as an active stakeholder and believer in the democratic principles, rule of law, justice and fairness, the act by the speaker of Imo state House of Assembly, is alien to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended.
“This development should be corrected because it may set a wrong precedence for subsequent Assembly leadership.
“If these members conducted themselves in an unparliamentary manner as alleged by the speaker, where they reported to rules and Ethics committee of the House for proper investigation and precautions. If the answer is on the negative, then the speaker has exhibited a high level of rascality in the use of his power and should, as a matter of peace, rescind his decision and call them back.
“This may result in anarchy if the speaker fails to call them back,” he added.
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