Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday suspended the deputy speaker, Irioju Ogundeji, and another member of the House, Adewale Williams, for alleged unruly behaviour.
Both lawmakers were among the nine lawmakers that kicked against impeachment move of Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi.
Mr Ajayi was served impeachment notice on Tuesday after he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Confirming their suspension, Deputy-Minority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Tomide Akinribido said the House, “I got wind of the illegal suspension of members who took a firm stand against politically-motivated impeachment yesterday.
“I told the Speaker to make sure my name is included in the suspension list, but he refused. I will write him officially on that tomorrow.
“They also illegally suspended the only female member of the house of assembly, Hon. Favour Tomomewo, for refusing to be intimidated and do a bidding against her conscience. It’s a sad day for democracy and constitutionality,” he added.
Deputy Governor’s camp depletes in Ondo Assembly
By Osagie Otabor, Akure
The camp of the Ondo Deputy Governor House of Assembly on Wednesday depleted following suspension of three lawmakers for unruly behaviour.
Also,the Majority Leader Hon Jamiu Maito from Akoko North West announced his resignation.
The Assembly Clerk, Bode Adeyelu, read Maito’s resignation letter.
Those suspended were Deputy Speaker Iroju Ogundeji; Hon. Favour Semilore Tomomewo and Hon Adewale Adewinle Williams.
They were suspended after Speaker Bamidele Oleyelogun read the House standard rules and held that the three lawmakers violated the rules.
It was gathered two more lawmakers loyal to Ondo Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi might be suspended on Thursday.
Nine lawmakers, including the three suspende, had dissociated themselves from the impeachment process served on Hon Ajayi.
It could not be confirmed if the impeachment notice had been served on Ajayi.
The Speaker set up a committee to investigate allegations levelled against the three lawmakers.
A shouting match ensued and sitting ended abruptly.
Speaking to journalists on their suspension, the Deputy Speaker said he was duly elected and would continue to attend plenary.
He vowed that nobody or any policeman could stop him from entering the Hallowed Chamber.
Adewale said due process was not followed in suspending them.
“If they want to suspend me they must follow normal process or I will see this House as Ondo House of Error and not Assembly. This is an institution.
“This is an arm of government. It is never an appendage to another arm. We are partners in progress not that we should be used against the people of Ondo State. we cannot be used against our interest,” he stressed.

By Taiwo Okanlawon