“When the heart is impatient, the feet will dance to the rhythm of the wait.” African proverb.
The above anonymous African proverb, no doubt, has a seeming resemblance with the Age-long Ika adage; “When the wait for those bringing food for labourers in the Field becomes too long, you send a message across to them”
Both proverbs, with no specific author, however, find credence in the holy writ, the bible as recorded in Proverb 13:12 “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but when the desire cometh, it is tree of life”
The above illustrations underscores the import of this discourse.
When, between November 5th and 12th, 2024, the leadership of the Delta State House of Assembly slammed suspension order on two of its members; the member representing Ukwuani State constituency, Hon. Chukwudi Dafe and, Member representing Bomadi State constituency, Hon. Kenneth Oboro Preyor, vacuum, no doubt were created just as the suspension hammer rained down heavy shock on not only their admirers, constituents, but a legion of Assembly watchers.
This is particularly so as the suspension order slammed on the duo lawmakers came few months after a similar suspension was slammed on the member representing Ughelli North 1 state constituency, Hon Matthew Omonade.
Hon. Omonade who was the first to be hammered with suspension in the Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor led 8th Assembly, it would be recalled, has since been recalled to plenary after the expiration of the 14 legislative-days of the suspension window.
Hon. Omonade’s suspension order, it would further be recalled, was lifted following a committee’s report; the ad-hoc committee that was constituted to investigate his alleged gross official misconduct.
In a Four-page report, the ad-hoc committee headed by the Majority Leader of the House and member representing Aniocha North State Constituency, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi raised a ten point observation which among other things stated that the then suspended member of the House, Hon. Matthew Omonade denigrated the office of the Executive Governor of the State when he vehemently accused the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori of plagiarizing his Bill and forwarding same as Executive Bill to be passed into law by the House.
However, following the committee’s recommendation, the suspension slammed on him (Hon. Matthew Omonade) was lifted just as he was enjoined to resume plenary.
In the case of the recently suspended lawmakers, Hon. Chukwudi Dafe, member representing Ukwani State Constituency and his Bomadi State constituency counterpart, Hon Kenneth Oboro Preyor, although an ad-hoc committee was constituted to investigate their alleged gross official misconduct as preferred against them, no report has been presented before their suspension order was lifted during Tuesday, December 17 plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.
Since their suspension which lasted barely six weeks, assembly watchers have been nosing and watching keenly for the outcome of the Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo’s led ad-hoc committee report on the matter, essentially as their ‘sins’ were not readily made public.
Although their ‘sins’ were not immediately made known to the public at that particular material time, it was, however, clear that following the tone and manner the suspension was handed down, it was obvious that all was not well within the circle of the State legislators.
The suspension order, no doubt, raised a lot of questions and worry in the hearts of concerned Assembly watchers, particularly their immediate constituents-Ukwuani and Bomadi.
Their worries, it is understood, are predicated on the consequences associated with such order. The consequences are such that; when a member of a legislature is suspended, such member is prohibited from attending committee meetings, plenary, and oversight functions.
Also, any suspended member of a legislative arm is denied access to his or her office just as such individual must not be seen on the premises of the complex.
Other consequences of suspension include:
The member’s salary, allowances, and other entitlements are not paid.
The member’s constituency is not represented during the suspension.
The member is excluded from the Chamber, its galleries, and the room where the Main Committee meets.
The member cannot participate in Chamber-related activities.
Petitions, notices of motion, and matters of public importance are not accepted from the suspended member.
Also, written questions submitted by the suspended member are not answered.
With the above consequences, there is no doubting the fact that both the suspended individual, friends, supporters and, Indeed constituents would be worried over the duration and outcome of the suspension.
More worrisome was the fact that the ad-hoc committee headed by the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon Arthur Akpowowo was yet to turn in its report.
However, at the last plenary of the year, Tuesday, December 17 2024, shortly after the prayers and, calling the House to Order, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor, in an emotion-ladden tone said; “Dear colleagues, you would recall that few weeks ago, two members of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwudi Dafe, member representing Ukwuani State Constituency and, Hon. Kenneth Oboro Preyor were suspended from the House over alleged gross official misconduct.
“Following their suspension, an ad-hoc committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo was set up by the House.
“The Committee you are aware is still investigating the matter and their report would be ready soon.
“However, we are aware that the 14 legislative-day whereon they were suspended has elapsed.
“Dear colleagues, going by the confidence you all repose in me as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and given the fact that the 14 legislative-day has elapsed, there is therefore the need for us to recall Hon. Chukwudi Dafe, member representing Ukwuani State Constituency and Hon Kenneth Oboro Preyor, member representing Bomadi State constituency to resume their duties as members if the Delta State House of Assembly effective from today.
“So, by the confidence you all repose in me as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, I hereby pronounce that the Suspended members, Hon. Chukwudi Dafe and Hon. Kenneth Oboro Preyor are hereby recalled to resume their duties pending the report of the ad-hoc committee “ Guwor said.
The question on the lips of Assembly watchers is; when is the House expected to receive the Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo’s led ad-hoc committee report on the suspension as no time frame was, abinitio given to the committee to turn in its report.
Again, what would be the outcome of the committee report given the fact that the initially suspended members have been given official clearance for resumption.
Well, for those waiting to receive and hear the outcome of the report, they may have to wait much longer or perhaps eternity as the report, The Pointer reports authoritatively, has been held behind closed doors.
Confirming this to The Pointer, Tuesday, February 25, this year in his office, the Chairman, House committee on Information and Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi said that the report has since been received by the Lawmakers behind closed doors.
According to him, the report was not a matter for public consumption and as such, has been received and deliberated upon.
He said, “Thank you for seeking clarification on this, I can tell you for free that the report has been received, it is not a matter for public consumption. It has been treated in-house” Nwaobi maintained.
