The Anambra State House of Assembly has suspended one of its members, Hon. Bernard Udemezue, the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, for three months over a controversial social media post.
The suspension was announced during plenary on Tuesday by the Speaker, following a report from the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics, and Privileges.
Hon. Udemezue’s suspension stemmed from a WhatsApp message he allegedly shared with his constituents, disclosing his allowances as a legislator and revealing that lawmakers receive N10 million quarterly from the state government for constituency projects.
The House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics, and Privileges described Udemezue’s action as “unparliamentary” and recommended that he should not be seen within the assembly for the period of the suspension.
The lawmaker will also forfeit his salary for three months.
Meanwhile, Udemezue defended his action, insisting that he was only being transparent with his people. “I did nothing wrong.
”My sole aim of revealing my emoluments was to update my constituents on my stay in the assembly,” he said.
The lawmaker alleged that he was being victimised for exposing how constituency project funds were managed.
Jis words: “I am only being victimised because I revealed that lawmakers collect N10 million quarterly for projects in their constituency.
”Some of them pocket theirs. That is why they are angry about the revelation,” he declared.
The disclosure was deemed damaging by assembly members, who were angered by Udemezue’s revelation.
The suspension was a result of the House’s resolve to maintain decorum and discipline among its members.
