The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, loyal to former Governor Chief Samuel Ortom, has issued a statement calling on the Speaker of the Benue State Assembly and, indeed, the House, to urgently lift the three-month suspension of the 13 members.
In February this year, the Benue State Assembly, presided by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh suspended the 13 for “Dishonourable actions capable of casting aspersions and causing acrimony in the House.”
The Majority Leader, Comr. Saater Tiseer, while moving the motion for the suspension at an emergency sitting of the House, referred to a press conference at which the 13 publicly dissociated themselves from a process they participated in, saying such dissociation contravenes Order IX, Rule 58(6) of the House Standing Rules.
However, in a statement calling for their reinstatement, Tim Nyor, Publicity Secretary, said the 13 “demonstrated a patriotic resolve.”
According to his statement, the suspension of the 13 “has deprived nearly two million people of Benue State of their legitimate representation in the legislative house. It also constitutes a blatant affront to the democratic principles underpinning our governance and collective commitment to democracy.”
In conclusion, he said: “PDP demands the immediate reinstatement of the suspended members to restore democracy, ensure proper representation, and uphold justice for the people of Benue State.”
The leadership of the PDP faction, loyal to former Governor Gabriel Suswam, is yet to comment on the suspension.
