The three suspended errant Imo State House of Assembly lawmakers, Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Duruji Hon. Ngozi Sylvia Obiefule and Hon. Obinna Ambrose Egu of Ehime Mbano, Isu and Ngor-Okpala State Constituencies respectively have been recalled to join their colleagues at the hallowed Chambers of the State Assembly.
Pronouncing their reinstatement last Wednesday during the fully-attended House Session, the Speaker; Imo State House of Assembly and Vice President Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, African Region, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Acho Ihim said that the members are being reinstated sequel to the penitence they exhibited during the period of their suspension.
According to the Speaker, report of the Committee set up to look into their aberrant and un- parliamentary conducts that led to their suspension shows that Hon. Ngozi Obiefule went totally on her knees before the Committee requesting to be forgiven for her felonious behaviour against the Speaker in particular and the house in general. Similarly, Hon. Lawrence Duruji as contained in the report, jettisoned his pride, wrote a confessionary and humble epistle from a contrite heart denouncing his actions and that of his constituents who demonstrated against the decision of the lawmakers’ in suspending him. Duruji totally dissociated himself from the demonstrators and pleaded with the House for forgiveness for his misdemeanor, promising never again to master-mind or indulge in acts that will be inimical to the growth of the House and State in general throughout his tenure as a lawmaker.
According to the Speaker, Hon. Obinna Egu while begging for pardon in the report re-pledged absolute loyalty to leadership of the House with an assurance to shun acts that led to his suspension.
Rt. Hon. Ihim affirmed that following their plea for leniency and forgiveness, the House in line with the Committees recommendation, lifted their suspension for them to freely re-unite with their colleagues starting from Tuesday, June 7, 2016 when the House will reconvene for sitting.
Sounding tough on few other members who according to him participated fully in the nocturnal meetings of the suspended members and their various nefarious conducts, warned vehemently that such acts will no longer be tolerated. He explained that the arrowheads were penalized to serve as a deterrent to a few other recalcitrant ones who are bent on executing their ill-conceived, selfish and undemocratic ambition. Rt. Hon. Acho Ihim warned that all forms of meetings concerning the House involving any two or more legislators whether in the day or nocturnally must get his clearance and approval or else will be viewed as being ill-conceived.
Thanking the Speaker for graciously accepting the Committees report, Hon. Ikechukwu Amuka noted that the turbulence and boisterousness that hitherto pervaded their session prior to the suspension, paved way for a peaceful, better coordinated and a more united House in their absence and advised them to tow the path of peace as they return. The reinstated legislators it will be recalled were suspended two months ago by the speaker and the entire house for insubordination and acts that has been crippling the growth of the assembly and state in particular.
