On Monday, May 6, Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), announced the suspension of three lawmakers.

The suspension was reportedly due to the presence of alleged charms in the Assembly complex and a suspected plan to impeach Agbebaku and other key Assembly leaders.

The suspended lawmakers are Donald Okogbe (PDP, Akoko-Edo II), Bright Iyamu (PDP, Orhionmwon II), and Adeh Isibor (All Progressives Congress, APC, Esan Northeast I).

Agbebaku claimed the lawmakers were under external influence to create unrest and remove Assembly leadership. He also noted that on May 1, 2024, native doctors were brought into the Assembly complex at midnight, performed rituals, and placed charms.

The decision to suspend these lawmakers caused tension within the Assembly. The affected members protested, stating that the speaker didn’t have the authority to suspend them without a vote, adding, “Mr. Speaker, you must allow the House to vote on this matter.”

To ease the tension, Agbebaku quickly adjourned the plenary session.