Senator Nwoye, Other Anambra North LP NASS Members Condemn Suspension of Ayamelum Lawmaker

By OOlisemeka Obeche

The Senator Representing Anambra North at the Senate, Dr. Tony Nwoye, and his House of Representatives Colleagues elected on the platform of Labour Party, Hon. Afam Ogene, Hon. Emeka Idu and Hon. Peter Aniekwe, have condemned the controversial suspension of Hon. Bernard Udemezue by members of the State House of Assembly.

In a press statement issued by the lawmakers under the aegis of Anambra North National Assembly Labour Party Caucus, declared that they Strongly Condemned what they called “Hasty Suspension of Hon Abuchi Udemezue by Anambra State House of Assembly”, calling for fair hearing and legislative integrity.

The statement read:
“We are deeply concerned by the recent suspension of Hon Abuchi Udemezue member representing Ayamelum LGA and Anambra North constituent by Anambra State House of Assembly following his remarks criticizing the actions of State Government; also because he exposed the level of infrastructural decay in his Ayamelum LGA,and also demanded for his Constituents to benefit from democracy dividends from the Anambra State Government.

“The way and manner Governor Soludo(Prof) pressurized the Leadership of Anambra State Assembly to recall the Honourable members of State Assembly from their recess (yearly vacation) for a hasty suspension of Hon Abuchi Udemezue(ISIENYI) is suspect and unacceptable.

“We believe that Hon Abuchi Udemezue was gagged because he spoke against utilization of Local Government funds with respect to Ayamelum LGA. His voice lends credence to our cries and agitation for sometime now for enforcement of Supreme Court judgement on Local Government financial autonomy and for Anambra State Government to allow Local Governments to manage their funds from the Federation account.

“While we do not condone the use of un-parliamentary and uncouth language by any person or by Hon Abuchi Udemezue,we feel that it is too hasty for the State Government to have used its powers to pressurize the members of State Assembly on yearly vacation to reconvene the House of Assembly last week friday and hastily suspended Hon Abuchi without enough notice in order to justice an element of natural justice – FAIR Hearing (AUDI ALTEREM PARTEM).

“We expect APGA led Government under Professor Soludo to address the issue of marginalization and infrastructure decadence in Ayamelum LGA which Hon Udemezue has raised despite the un-parliamentary language that Hon Udemezue used in one of his speeches/ interview.
“Our democracy thrives on robust debate,constructive criticism and diversity of opinion.Silencing opposition voices through hasty suspension sets a dangerous precedent that should concern every Nigerian ,regardless of Party affiliation.

“Leaving the people of Ayamelum Local Government Area to be without a Legislator in the State Assembly is unfair and undemocratic for the people of Ayamelum Local Government Area.

“We humbly urge the leadership of Anambra State House of Assembly to revisit the suspension,ensure that Hon Abuchi Udemezue (ISIENYI) is accorded fair hearing and to allow institutional discipline to be administered in a transparent and lawful manner if found guilty. We must all work together to protect the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Signed
Anambra North Labour Party National Assembly Caucus
Senator.Dr Tony Nwoye.
Hon Afam Ogene.
Hon Idu Emeka.
Hon Peter Aniekwe
27th August 2025