Anambra House of Assembly committee recommends 3 months suspension for PDP member

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By Madu Obi

The Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges has indicted the member representing Ayamelum State Constituency, Hon. Bernard Udemezue, for alleged unparliamentary conduct, inciting comments on social media, and gross abuse of legislative privileges, and recommended his suspension for three months without pay.

The committee, headed by Hon Ikenga Ofodeme, also recommended that Udemezue, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should issue a public apology, and undergo compulsory training on parliamentary ethics and practices.

The House had, in a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Tony Muobike and seconded by Hon. Jude Ngobili, accused Udemezue of using his social media platforms to make inciting comments capable of disturbing public peace and bringing disrespect to the state legislature.

The Speaker, Hon Somtochukwu Udeze, subsequently referred the matter to the Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges for investigation.

According to the committee, Hon. Udemezue was formally invited to appear before it to clarify the allegations, but he failed to honour the invitation.

He was said to have instead, allegedly mocked the process of his invitation and went further to post the letter of invitation on his WhatsApp status.

The committee also cited several petitions and reports against the lawmaker, ranging from allegations of intimidation and threats to colleagues on the Assembly’s WhatsApp group, to petitions by legal practitioners and private citizens accusing him of threats to life, unlawful interference and abuse of office.

"The committee observed that during his tenure as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland and Boundary Affairs, Udemezue was alleged to have used his position to secure the release of suspected cultists and assailants.

Records also showed that between June 2024 and June 2025, he was absent for 43 out of 57 plenary sittings and was habitually late whenever he attended.

Most strikingly, 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", the report said.

The committee also ordered Udemezue to tender a public apology to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, and to members of the Assembly, both in writing and across his social media platforms within five working days.

In addition to suspending him from legislative duties for a period of three months without pay, he was also barred from entering the Assembly Complex throughout the suspension.

The report also called on the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Security, DSS, in Anambra State to investigate the lawmaker’s claims concerning the alleged plot and the murder of Hon. Azuka.

It described Udemezue’s actions as a gross abuse of the oath of office and a ridicule of the institution of the House of Assembly, stressing that his actions have dented the image of the legislature.

"This House cannot condone behaviors that undermine our collective integrity", it said.

The recommendations, signed by Chairman Hon. Ofodeme Ikenna and ten other members, are to be considered by the full House for adoption.