The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has sued for peace following the suspension of six House of Assembly members.
Mr Cajetan Duke, Publicity Secretary of APC in Imo State, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Owerri on Thursday while reacting to the suspension.
Duke described the Assembly as “an independent organ of government”.
He called on the suspended lawmakers to desist from acts capable of jeopardizing their public image and the legislative House.
He noted that as law abiding persons, the party would not only respect the independence of the Assembly but also align with any decisions taken by its leadership.
“APC respects the independence of the House of Assembly and supports any disciplinary measures that make for decorum.
“We urge the suspended lawmakers to resolve issues using internal resolution mechanism,” he said.
He said the nature of the suspension was an indication that it was not a case of political witch-hunt against any political party.
Six members of the Imo House of Assembly were suspended by the Speaker, Paul Emeziem, for alleged unparliamentary conduct.
Of the six lawmakers, four were members of the ruling APC while the other two are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The suspension led to a rowdy session as the suspended lawmakers reacted violently over the action.
Thugs wielding guns invaded the premises and started shooting sporadically.
It took the intervention of security agents to restore order.
One of the lawmakers traced the crisis to the supremacy battle between Governor Hope Uzodimma and Senator Rochas Okorocha.
Those suspended are believed to be loyalists of Okorocha.
The Speaker, Mr Paul Emeziem (APC- Onuimo), who announced suspension at the plenary, said the decision was taken at the executive session.
“Some members have been conducting themselves in an unparliamentary manner thereby bringing the house to ridicule.
“We have thoroughly examined this issue at the executive session of the house and have resolved that peace and order must continue to reign.
“The executive session has, therefore, recommended the suspension of the members who have engaged in different misconduct.
“This action is in line with ensuring that the image of the house remains as it should be while providing a functional environment and the synergy which we are required to provide to ensure all arms of government work together,” he said.
The suspended members are Mr Kennedy Ibeh (APC- Obowo), Mr Philip Ejiiogu (PDP -Owerri North) and Mr Uche Ogbuagu (APC- Ikeduru).
Others are Mr Dominic Ezerioha (APC- Oru west), Mr Anyadike Nwosu (PDP- Ezinihitte Mbaise) and Mr Onyemaechi Njoku (APC- Ihitte Uboma).
Emeziem also announced the change in the office of the Chief Whip from Dr Arthur Egwim (APC- Ideato North) to Mr Obinna Okwarra (APC- Nkwerre).
He also announced that all standing committees of the House have been dissolved.
The suspended members objected against the suspension describing it as illegal and undemocratic.
They insisted that they would continue to attend plenary.
The plenary became rowdy as the representative of Ihitte Uboma, Onyemaechi Njoku tried to engage the speaker in a fight in protest.
This resulted in sporadic gunshots by security agents while the speaker was whisked away by his security details.
Njoku, a member of the dissolved Ethics, Privileges and Information Committee said their alleged misconduct was never brought to the committee.
He told newsmen that he would continue to attend plenary sessions as his suspension was invalid and undemocratic.
Similarly, Egwim said the speaker did not follow the proper procedure in removing him as chief whip.
He stated that there were no valid grounds for his removal as no petition was brought against him and no existing case of proven misconduct.
Also, Ogbuagu maintained that no executive session was held as the members had been waiting for the speaker to announce the venue for the executive session.
Ogbuagu expressed surprise at the alleged unparliamentary conduct as he had just attended his first sitting since the resumption of the house.
Mrs Ngozi Obiefule (APC- Isu) added that every request to know the venue of the purpoted executive session from the house whatsapp platform were not responded.
