Enyinnaya Abaribe, the minority leader of the Senate says the last Thursday suspension of six lawmakers in Imo State House of Assembly is dictatorial and undemocratic.
Recall that Paul Emezim, the speaker of the assembly had announced the suspension of the minority leader, Anyadike Nwosu, and five other lawmakers.
Emezim said the suspension was indefinite after accusing the suspended lawmakers of “unparliamentary conduct.”
He also dissolved all standing committees of the house and removed the Chief Whip, Authur Egwim, who was replaced with Obinna Okwara.
But Abaribe in a statement by his media aide, Uchenna Awom noted that the development in Imo was capable of stifling dissenting voices in Parliament.
According to him, the suspension in Imo State House of Assembly suggested circumvention of democratic ethos.
“The beauty of democracy he added is embedded in the provision of checks and balances, accommodation of all sheds of opinion and allowing free canvassing of viewpoints in the constitution,” the Abia South Senator said.
“Democracy does not stop at the national level. It must permeate all levels of government i.e, wards, local governments, state and other democratic institutions. In all of these, everybody must enjoy the freedom of expression and association as guaranteed by our Constitution.
“So, it is undemocratic and smirks of dictatorship, any attempt by anybody, particularly a parliament for that matter to abhor minority functions and stifle opposition voices, just because you want to pander to executive whims.
“It is reprehensible to even contemplate suspension of a minority leader because he questions the executive on things that seem to be antithetical to democratic norms.”
Abaribe advised the State Assemblies to always see every party represented on the floor as partners in progress, whose viewpoints are all geared towards achieving good governance.
“Without dissenting opinions, democracy loses its kernel. The essence of liberal democracy is the accommodation of different viewpoints, which is warehoused in the interplay of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary independently in the political system,” Senator Abaribe added.
