The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday lifted the suspension of six out of the 13 members earlier suspended on 19 February.
The lawmakers had been suspended for holding a press conference outside the official premises of the assembly, in violation of the standing rules.
The recall followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer, who urged the assembly to reconsider the suspension of the affected members.
Tiseer recalled that the House had, during its plenary on 19 February, suspended Mr Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) and 12 others for three months due to what was described as “dishonourable conduct.”
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He noted that the suspension period officially ended on 19 May.
The majority leader added that during their suspension, the lawmakers filed a legal case against the House and also appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions to testify against the assembly.
He said, “Their recent actions put the House in confusion as to whether or not they had shown remorse for their earlier action.”
The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Michael Audu (PDP/Adoka-Ugboju), who said their decision to apologise through a written letter warranted their reinstatement.
“Those who were insisting that what they did was right should remain on suspension pending when they tender genuine apology,” Audu added.
Also supporting the motion, Mr Peter Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala West) agreed that the six members who had apologised and demonstrated remorse should be reinstated.
However, Mr Alfred Berger (APC/Makurdi North) called for the suspension of all 13 members to be lifted unconditionally.
In his ruling, the Speaker, Mr Aondona Dajoh, announced the immediate recall of the six lawmakers, but insisted that the remaining seven must write formal letters of apology, similar to what the others had done, before they would be reinstated.
The six reinstated lawmakers are Mr Solomon Gyila (APC/Gwer West), Mr Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East), Mr Anyor Mato (APC/Kwande East), Mr Simon Gabo (APC/Mata), Mr William Ortyom (PDP/Agasha), and Mr Blessed Onah (PDP/Oju I).
