Suspended Reps Resume From Suspension

ABUJA, Dec 14, (THEWILL) - All members of the House of Representatives who were suspended on June 22, this year were today re-admitted into the chambers of the House by the leadership.

Their presence however delayed the commencement of the day’s sitting for about an hour and a half allegedly on the orders of the Speaker Dimeji Bankole following the presence of the returning lawmakers.

Deputy Speaker, Hon. Usman Bayero Nafada who presided over the session announced the formal reinstatement of the lawmakers. Although, he mentioned only Hon. Doris Uboh, the rest were allowed into the chambers without harassment.

While announcing their reinstatement, Nafada said: “I received a communication in my office this morning on the case by Honourable Doris Uboh that the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that she be recalled back to the House. Honourable Uboh is hereby re-admitted.”

Hon. Gbenga Oduwaiye (PDP, Ogun) and Austine Nwachukwu (PDP, Imo) who were pardoned last week were also allowed at the plenary. Also allowed into the Chamber were leaders of the Progressives Minded legislators, Hon. Dino Melaye, Independence Ogunewe, Solomon Awhinawhi, Abas Anas Adamu and Bitrus Kaze.

Melaye and Awhinawhi had last week, stormed the House’s chamber during plenary, prompting Nafada to announce that the House was a law-abiding institution, and would therefore respect the decision of the court.

Before the commencement of plenary, the returnee members alongside their colleagues were at the lobby exchanging pleasantries and waiting for the doors to the Chamber to be opened.

However, at exactly 11:15am the Chamber doors were opened to begin the day’s legislative activities. No official explanation was given for the action, which elicited condemnations, by other members.

Although, the Lawmakers who were seen hanging around the lobby expressed anger as to what may have led to such directive.