On Monday, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, suspended three lawmakers over their alleged involvement in a plot to impeach him and other key officials of the Assembly.
Among those suspended is Donald Okogbe, a member of the PDP representing Akoko-Edo II, who is known to be an ally of the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and notably did not sign the petition leading to Shaibu’s impeachment.
The other two lawmakers suspended are Addeh Emankhu Isibor, representing APC, Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, representing PDP, Orhionnwon II. Agbebaku further accused the trio of bringing traditional healers to the House in the early hours of May 1 to conduct rituals.
Agbebaku announced the indefinite suspension of the three lawmakers, alleging that external influences were behind their actions aimed at destabilizing the House’s leadership.
The suspension of the lawmakers triggered tension within the House as the affected legislators protested against their suspension.
During a chaotic session, the suspended lawmakers vocally contested the Speaker’s authority to unilaterally suspend members and demanded a vote from fellow legislators on the matter. The Speaker responded by abruptly adjourning the plenary session.
