By our reporter
Anambra State House of Assembly has suspended one of its members, Hon Bernard Udemezue for alleged anti-parliamentary conduct
The suspension according to the state Assembly will last for three months after tendering an apology to the Speaker, Hon Somtochukwu Udeze and the Assembly
Udemezue, represents Ayamelum State Constituency, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
The committee, ethics and privileges, in a report presented during plenary, recommended that the lawmaker be suspended for three months without pay, issue a public apology, and undergo compulsory training on parliamentary ethics and practices.
The development followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Tony Muobike and seconded by Hon. Jude Ngobili, which accused Udemezue of using his social media platforms to make inciting comments capable of disturbing public peace and bringing disrespect to the House.
The Speaker subsequently referred the matter to the Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges for investigation.
Committee’s report
In its report, the committee said Udemezue was formally invited to appear before it to clarify the allegations, but failed to honour the invitation.
Instead, he allegedly mocked the process by posting the letter of invitation on his WhatsApp status accompanied with a song titled “Ndi Ara.”
The committee further cited several petitions and reports against the lawmaker, ranging from allegations of intimidation and threats to colleagues on the Assembly’s WhatsApp group, among others
Sources cited Udemezue’s ‘sins’, among others, to include accusing the Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo of not doing anything in Ayamelum constituency after the people gave him support.
The lawmaker, using his social media account, was said to have alleged that Soludo abandoned the people of his constituency to their fate.
Again, he challenged the Governor for preventing him from greeting his traditional ruler when the Governor visited the community last weekend
Furthermore, the lawmaker, outrightly fingered the State Government in the kidnap and murder of late Hon. Justice Azuka, a former member representing Onitsha North I, linking the incident to an alleged impeachment plot against the Governor in 2024
However, the committee condemned Udemezue’s actions as gross abuse of the oath of office and ridicule of the institution of the House of Assembly.
According to the report, “The actions of Hon. Bernard Udemezue have affected and dented the image of the Legislature.
The recommendations were signed by Chairman Hon. Ofodeme Ikenna and ten other members.
Suspension in bad fate
Meanwhile, Udemezue, while speaking with our reporter, dismissed his suspension, describing it as in bad fate.
He said the people of Ayamelum elected him to speak for and represent them, adding that he had not done anything wrong to deserve such treatment from his colleagues.
“I will speak at the appropriate time, but right now, I’m still monitoring the situation of things ” the embattled lawmaker said.
