Soludo not Involved in the suspension of lawmaker - House of Assembly

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By Madu Obi

The Anambra State House of Assembly has refuted claims that Governor Chukwuma Soludo influenced the suspension of the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Hon Abuchi Udemezue, describing such allegations as false, baseless, and mischievous.

The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, in a statement said the Assembly was compelled to respond to a press release issued by some federal lawmakers from Anambra North Senatorial Zone under the Labour Party, who criticized the suspension of Hon. Udemezue.

Okechukwu said the House would ordinarily have ignored the statement, but chose to set the records straight and protect the public from misleading narratives.

According to him, the disciplinary action was purely an internal legislative matter arising from an unparliamentary and uncouth language used by Udemezue, including his decision to label colleagues as “mad men” on social media after he was invited to defend himself.

"The decision to discipline Udemezue was entirely an internal legislative affair and not at the behest of the Executive.

Every member is bound by the constitution and the standing orders of the House. No one is above discipline,” the statement read.

He said that Udemezue was granted an opportunity to defend himself and even offered the chance to apologize, but he “consistently took the institution for granted", stressing that his suspension had nothing to do with his oversight functions as a lawmaker as being insinuated in some quarters.

The statement also criticized the involvement of federal lawmakers in the matter, saying their intervention amounted to meddling in the internal processes of a state legislature.

“Instead of focusing on their core responsibilities at the National Assembly—where their colleagues are attracting federal projects and creating opportunities for their constituents—some federal lawmakers from Anambra North have chosen to dabble into petty local politics,” the Assembly said.

Reaffirming its commitment to legislative integrity, the Assembly assured the public that discipline within the chamber is designed to uphold decorum and mutual respect, not to stifle dissent.

It urged federal legislators from the state to channel their energies towards their national mandate and allow the State Assembly to carry out its constitutional duties without interference.