By Onyekachi Eze
The leadership and Members of All Progressive Congress, (APC), Oru East Local Government Area, Imo State have condemned in strong terms, the suspension of their lawmaker, Hon Nkenna John Nzeruo, by the Acho Ihim led Imo State Assembly.
Recall that Hon Nkenna Nzeruo, alongside his Isiala Mbano, Ikeduru and Mbaitoli colleagues were suspended at last week’s plenary session by the IMHA over what they tagged “unparliamentary conduct”.
Irked by that “undefined” reason given by the House, Oru East APC in a well attended meeting convened yesterday, with the presence of the ten INEC wards described the act as “undemocratic, unbelievable and unconstitutional.
In a letter dated 4th July, 2018, and captioned, “ Unlawful and Unwarranted Suspension of Honorable Nkenna Nzeruo, Member representing Oru East Constituency, Imo State”, they said such act is an affront to the entire people of Oru East Constituency.
The letter further highlighted that unlawful oath taking is not part of the legislative duties of a member of the House of Assembly, saying it is an unparliamentary conduct for any member of the House to take an unlawful oath, particularly when it fetters the powers vested in the House of Assembly, by section 4(6) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as jeopardizes the independence of the legislature.
“Honorable Nkenna Nzeruo was right in not participating in any form of unlawful oath taking and there is nothing unparliamentary about his actions. It is criminal to administer extra judicial oath”, they opined.
The House is therefore urged to immediately recall their duly elected lawmaker so as to continue with his superlative representation to his constituency and the State at large.
Oru East APC further threatens to institute a civil action against the leadership of the House and her Members should they fail to hearken to their request in no distant time.
Without any equivocation, the angry constituents warned that negligence to reverse their (House) stand would amount a petition to the National Assembly, Pan-African Parliament, and Common Wealth Parliamentary Association based on the illegalities and undemocratic dispositions.
The LGA Party Chairman, Chief Bernard Nwanańa affirmed strong confidence on the person of Nkenna Nzeruo, pointing out that he, (Nzeruo) brought his attention to all that were about happening, including the oath taking allegations and other undeserving attributes he was meant to exhibit by the present Government.
Chief Nwanańa stated that already, Imo APC Chairmen have written the leadership of the House, condemning their actions.
He recalled that under the same Government Administration on 2011-2015, the immediate past Oru East lawmaker, Hon Greg Okemili was suspended on a similar charge the incumbent representative is suspended for living up to the dictates of a true parliamentarian with Peoples’ mandate.
Wondering why Oru East would be subjected to such hatred by the government that was delivered into Imo State Government House by Ndi Oru East, Nwanańa submitted that Oru East deserves the best from Rochas Okorocha’s administration.
In his speech, the APC apex leader of Oru East, Engr. Chime Nzeribe warned that Oru East will never accept victimization or infringement on their constitutional rights.
Other leaders present include; Barr Robert Okwuego, Sir Tony Enoch, Chief Abu Nnanna, Chief Jude Duru, Hon Alphonsus Onwumere, Chief G.O.C Ikwuneme, Prince Ukachukwu, Lolo Chinwe Okoro, Casmir Ogbonna, Chief Bona Duru, among others.
