Commotion in Ogun assembly over suspension of 4 lawmakers

PANDEMONIUM broke out on the floor of the Ogun State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, as the Speaker, Honourable Suraj Ishola Adekunbi, announced the suspension of four lawmakers, over allegation of un-parliamentary behaviour and gross disrespect to the legislative institution.

Those purportedly suspended were Honourables Job Akintan, Remmy Hazzan, Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo and John Obafemi.

The division among the lawmakers snowballed into full blown crisis, as Adekunbi, during the plenary session, called on Jolaoso to move motion for suspension of the four lawmakers.

It will be recalled that the last week Thursday sitting of the assembly ended abruptly when some members opposed the composition of tenders board committee which had the deputy speaker as the chairman.

Jolaoso, in the motion, said taking a bow before exiting the chamber was part of the House Rules which must be obeyed by members.

He corroborated Ishola, saying that “they walked out without taking a bow. It is a disrespect to the office of the Speaker.”

Before the speaker could call for a lawmaker to second the motion, the mace, which is the symbol of authority of the assembly, was removed by a female lawmaker and broken.

The development turned the assembly complex into a theatre of sort, as the lawmakers engaged one another in war of words.

The lawmakers in the majority later reconvened at the chamber and appointed Hazzan as the pro-tempore speaker.

The pro tempore speaker declared that the earlier sitting of the assembly was null and void and called for the motion to suspend Ishola and three others.

The motion for the suspension of Ishola, the deputy speaker, Tola Banjo, the Majority leader, Isreal Jolaoso and Olakunle Oluomo, was moved by Honourable Segun Elemide and seconded by Samson Onademuren.

Attempt to reconvene the session by Ishola and his supporters were unsuccessful, as the lawmakers in the majority prevented them from sitting.

However, Ishola said that the assembly would reconvene today.

Journalists were tear-gassed while attempting to get Ishola’s reactions on the development.
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