Chidiebube Okeoma,Owerri
One of the four lawmakers suspended by the Imo state House of Assembly on Wednesday for alleged unparliamentary conducts, Nkenna Nzeruo, representing Oru East, has accused the speaker and the 21 other lawmakers of witch hunting him.
He claimed that he was suspended because he rejected N50m oath taking inducement to support the governorship aspiration of the chief of staff to the governor, Uche Nwosu.
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The embattled lawmaker in a release he personally issued in Owerri on Thursday, said that part of his ordeal was because he rejected the N50m oath taking inducement and refused to go to the media to attack Senator Hope Uzodimma who is having political issues to settle with the governor.
He said apart from his suspension from the legislature, he has been marked for physical assault.
The statement read in part, “First, I was duly elected as member representing the good people of Oru-East state constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly and till date, I have not been found wanting in the discharge of my legislative functions; neither have I faced a disciplinary committee for whatever reason.
“I have stated this for the records, because no credible reason was given for my suspension from the house, rather, the speaker said it was for unparliamentary conduct.
“The crimes I committed are that I gave heed to my people, whose mandate I represent, not to participate in any oath taking for the sum of N50m to protect my integrity before God and my people.
“That I refused to go to the press to attack, abuse and assassinate the character of Senator Hope Uzodimma as instructed even when he is my brother, constituent and also a BoT member of same party (APC).
“My alleged refusal to join the bandwagon of the Ugwumba Movement (Agburu) supporting a particular governorship aspirant in Imo State.
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“That I wore the uniform provided by and for the South East members of the party
(APC) for the just concluded National Convention of the party at Abuja.
“How these become an unparliamentary conduct is yet to be proved. You will recall that a few weeks ago, news filtered in about oath taking scare in the House of Assembly, which I was also not included, because it is not a part of my legislative functions.
“This is simply the outcome of the APC national convention of 23rd June, 2018, at Eagle Square, Abuja, that has resulted to this witch-hunting.
“I have also been reliably informed that other forms of attack are being programmed against me.
“Remember my people, that the mandate you gave me is so precious, that we endured two painful primary elections and three grueling general elections, including supplementary elections, all of which we were victorious because of your support.
“I assure you that God is involved and that with your continued support, which is sure for me, we shall weather any storm and come out with resounding victory.
“Thus, I urge you all to remain calm, while we go through this, because it will surely end in praise.”
But the majority leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Lugard Osuji who sponsored the suspension motion denied the N50m oath taking inducement.
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He urged the suspended lawmakers to clear themselves with the committee set up by the Assembly to investigate them.
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