The member representing Obingwa East State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Solomon Akpulonu, has reacted to his suspension by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa during Tuesday’s plenary.
The longest-serving lawmaker in the House was suspended on Tuesday for 14 sitting days on accusations of inciting other members against the leadership of the 8th Assembly and granting of press interviews without proper clearance from the leadership of the House.
Addressing newsmen on Tuesday evening, shortly after his case was heard at the Tribunal, sitting in Umuahia, Hon. Akpulonu, said as a member of an opposition party in the State, he cannot be intimidated by anyone including the Speaker.
He maintained that he is not perturbed by his suspension as he has repeatedly stated that what the Speaker and the Labour Party disagree on in the State Assembly is completely wrong, stressing that there is no way a majority can overnight become minority in the House.
Akpulonu, dared the Speaker to suspend him for the whole of the tenure, reiterating that he can never be intimidated fobyis his standing on the right thing to be done in the 8th Abia Assembly.
He said having served under former governors of the State including Senator Orji Kalu, Senator T.A Orji, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, and now Gov. Alex Otti, he knows his onions and can never be coerced by anyone.
On his next line of action, the experienced lawmaker declined to disclose to the press, saying as a member of the People’s Democratic Party, he will revert to his party, informing them that he was suspended because he insists that the rights of the party be respected.
Hon. Akpulonu said it is unfortunate that the Speaker has started on a wrong side, emphasizing that in the House of Assembly, a lawmaker or party has the right to agitate provided it is within the ambits of the law, stressing that he and other PDP members have been agitating peacefully and have not crcriticizedny policy of the current administration rather than call for the rights of PDP to be respected.
Reacting to the allegations that he has faced the press without proper clearance, Hon. Akpulonu, said the Deputy Speaker, members of the Labour Party, soand me members of the PDP too have all faced the press without getting clearance from the House, saying he will continue to face the press.
Recall that the 11 PDP members of the 8th House of Assembly, have staged several walkouts protesting that the majority seat, among others b,e given to the PDP since they conceded the speakership and deputy speakership seats of the House to the Labour Party are 10 in number, but the leadership of House went ahead to announce member for Arochukwu, Hon. Okoro Uchenna as the majority of the House which further angered PDP members in the House.
Recall again, that the Speaker of the House, has also failed to read out the PDP letter nominating her members for majority leadership positions, which also led to another peaceful protest during their last plenary on 11th of July 2023.
(CDA NEWS)
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