From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
IMO State House of Assembly had a rowdy session yesterday, which almost degenerated into fracas among the lawmakers when the Speaker, Acho Ihim pronounced indefinite suspension of three members for refusing to take their seats as instructed.
Trouble started when Lawman Duruji, representing Ehime Mbano state constituency raised a motion of urgent importance on the floor of the House.
Speaker had overruled the motion and had insisted that Duruji take his seat.
But, Minority Leader, Obinna Egu (PDP, Ngor -Okpala) and Ngozi Obiefule were both on their feet and insisted that Ihim must hear the motion and not rule Duruji out of order when the motion had not been heard. They banged on their tables, an action which disrupted the business of the day.
Angered by the conduct of the three members’ insistence, other lawmakers sprang to their feet in support of the speaker, which resulted in shoving and pushing among the members.
When order was eventually restored, Ihim immediately announced their indefinite suspension.
The speaker said the House had witnessed “clandestine, unpatriotic and selfish meetings against the Imo State Government and the leadership of the House.
“I hereby reiterate the indefinite suspension of Ngozi Obiefule (Isu, APC), Obinna Egu ( Ngor-Okpala, PDP) and Lawman Duruji (Ehime Mbano, APC).
“Their return will be determined by the outcome of investigations to be carried out and the recommendations of the investigating committee,” he said.