The Edo State House of Assembly was thrown into chaos on Monday as three lawmakers were suspended over an alleged plot to impeach the Speaker and other Principal Officers.
The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku announced the suspension at the resumption of plenary in Benin, accusing Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo 11), Bright Iyamu (PDP Orihonmwon South), and Adeh Isibor (PDP Esan North East 1) of being used by external forces to cause chaos and remove the House leadership.
The suspension led to a heated argument, with the affected lawmakers and their colleagues challenging the Speaker’s decision. “Mr. Speaker, you don’t have the right to unilaterally suspend any member of the house. You must call for votes. Allow members to vote on the matter,” they argued.
Despite the protests, the Speaker adjourned the plenary abruptly, leaving the House in disarray. The suspension and the chaotic scene that followed have raised questions about the stability of the Edo State House of Assembly and the motivations behind the alleged impeachment plot.
The development is a significant blow to the opposition PDP in the House, as the suspended lawmakers are all members of the party. The incident has also sparked concerns about the role of external forces in the internal affairs of the House and the implications for democracy in Edo State.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the affected lawmakers and their colleagues will respond to the suspension and whether the House will be able to resolve its internal conflicts and focus on its legislative duties.