Sporadic gunshots rented the atmosphere around the Imo State House of Assembly on Thursday as six lawmakers of the house were suspended.
Lawmakers and staff of the assembly scampered for safety during the incident which lasted for some minutes.
The Speaker, Paul Emeziem, who announced the suspension of the lawmakers at the floor of the House, said that their suspension was based on “conducting themselves in an unparliamentary manner.”
According to Vanguard newspapers, the gunshots started after the plenary had been concluded on the suspension of the lawmakers and it was said to be from the security operatives as a result of which both lawmakers and workers scampered for their safety.
Vanguard also gathered that some of the suspended lawmakers stormed the hallowed chambers and protested that their suspension would not be effective.
Among the suspended lawmakers, four were members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the other two members, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
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The suspended members included Uche Ogbuagu (APC, Ikeduru) Dominic Ezerioha (APC, Oru West) Micheal Crown (APC, Ihitte Uboma) Kennedy Ibe (APC, Obowo) Anyadike Nwosu ( PDP, Ezinihitte Mbaise), and Phillip Ejiogu (PDP, Owerri North).
Also, the Speaker sacked the Chief Whip of the House, Arthur Eqwim (Ideato North), and replaced him with Obinna Okwara (Nkwerre). In the same development, the Speaker, Emeziem, has dissolved all the standing committees in the House.
However, one of the suspended lawmakers, Mr. Ezerioha who spoke to Vanguard briefly said: “For now I have to be mute. I represent Oru West and my people have to decide.”
