Edo: Speaker orders Deputy Majority Leader out of plenary over improper dress’

By Jude Opara

There was a mild drama at plenary session at the Edo State House of Assembly on yesterday as the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Natasha Osawaru, was ordered to leave the plenary for improper dressing and wearing of a dark shade.
The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, had ordered the lawmaker who is representing Egor Constituency to leave the session following a point of order raised by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba Okha Constituency.
In his point of order, Asonsere said the Deputy Majority Leader’s mode of dressing was against the rules of the House.
“This hallowed chamber is a sacred home. We will not continue to accept or allow anybody to bring it to disrepute.
“We have tolerated enough of the attitude and behaviour of some honourable members so to speak, and if we did not correct this now, it would become a precedent for others to emulate, if not now, in the near future.
Please, Mr Speaker if I have the permission, I want to crave the indulgence to read some rules of the House sections and subsections.
“We have our own Bible which is often referred to as the Rules of the Edo State House of Assembly upon this we are being guided.
“Any member that violates or contravenes the rules is punishable by the law,” he said.
The Speaker, while ordering the Deputy Majority Leader to leave the chamber, said the action was not his own making but in accordance with the House rules.
“Improper dressing and wearing of dark shade is not allowed in this House. It is not me that said it but the House rules. So, please, let us always comply with these our rules,” he added.

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