The suspension of a lawmaker, Maria Ude Nwachi, from Ebonyi State House of Assembly four times in the course of her four-year legislative tenure spanning 2015 to 2019 has been described as “unlawfully and without justification.”
According to a group known as the People’s Supreme Congress (PSC), the withholding of her entitlement is also “unlawful and wicked.”
As a result, the group, in a statement signed by its national leader, Comrade Ikem Anthony Kalzeeni, has asked Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, who represents Izzi West constituency, to immediately pay the entitlement of the female lawmaker fondly called Afikpo Chick.
In the statement made available to Business Post at the weekend, PSC said the Speaker denied the entire Afikpo North East constituency that Ms Uwachi represented the full and adequate representation in Ebonyi State House of Assembly during her suspension.
The group said the Speaker “deliberately refused to pay her entitlement and arrogantly made it impossible for her constituency to be represented in Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
“Peoples’ Supreme Congress wishes to remind Mr Speaker that the law is not a mere theory or an abstract concept, but a living instrument that must protect our values and regulate the organized conduct of a civilised society.”
“It’s unlawful and wicked for the Speaker to continue the apparent visible vindictive adventure of not paying Maria Ude Maria her entitlements till date,” PSC added.
Continuing the group said, “We in People’s Supreme Congress are the voice of the Voiceless People of Nigeria. We are the defenders of the oppressed. We are agents of truth and Justice.
“Mr Speaker, justice can only be done according to justification. What is the justification of denying Maria Ude Maria some of her entitlements? You will tell us in court! What’s the justification of denying her constituency full representation in Ebonyi State House of Assembly?
“These are pathogens of the Suspension that you subjected her to that the court of law will have to look into. We are glad that Maria Ude Maria is heading to court and we are taking her there. We are loaded and fully prepared to seek legal redress and resounding justice.
“We call on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Press Council (IPC), EFCC, ICPC, Social Media agents, Federal Ministry of Women affairs, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Projects (SERAP), Civil Liberty Organisations (CLOs), and Nigerians to stand up and support this crusade for justice.
“In conclusion, Mr Speaker, we the members of Peoples’ Supreme Congress (PSC), demand the immediate payment of Maria Ude Maria’s entitlement and unconditional apology to her constituency by you, the leadership and Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.”
The group further said, “It is shocking that in an era where women are encouraged to join politics, that a courageous woman like Maria Ude Nwachi took the bull by the horn, and got a resounding mandate of her people to represent them only for the Speaker to suspend her because she organised her constituency to protest against lack of electricity in her constituency.
“The Speaker asked her to apologise to Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Dave Umahi, or risk suspension and when she refused, she was suspended and all her entitlement denied her till date.”
