The Abia State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, suspended a member representing Obingwa East State Constituency and leader of the PDP caucus, Hon Solomon Akpulonu, from the plenary.
The speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa who made the announcement during plenary, said the suspension will last for 14 sitting days, with immediate effect.
He lamented that Akpulonu has been causing nuisance in the chamber since inauguration, stressing that he has tolerated him for too long, he insisted that, as lawmakers, it is normal to disagree as long as it is done with decorum and within the confines of the law.
He said “We are no touts and therefore, if we have grievances or if we want to disagree with anybody in this house, we do it democratically and in a civil manner.
“As your speaker, I will not tolerate such behavior going forward.
“My honorable colleague, the member representing Obingwa East State Constituency has consistently done that by causing nuisance in the hallowed chambers.
“If you want to tell me that it is democratic, I will say no and I have so far tolerated it to the point I can no longer tolerate it.
“You all gave me the mandate to preside over this house and that should be respected, it is not my person, it is the power you gave me to do that.”
He also noted that it was absolutely wrong for the lawmaker to be granting media interviews and revealing all the House has been doing without proper consulting the leadership of the assembly, adding that what is done in the House should remain in the House.
“There are consequences for every action. Even though he is not here, the message will be related to him to not attend subsequent sessions for the next 14 sitting days. Effective immediately, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu will no longer be allowed to sit for the next 14 sitting days,” he added.