Chaos briefly disrupted proceedings at the Anambra State House of Assembly complex on Tuesday as suspended lawmaker Hon. Bernard Udemezue (Ayamelum Constituency) was physically removed from the legislative chambers shortly before Governor Chukwuma Soludo was due to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
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Udemezue, who had been suspended for three months in July 2025 for allegedly leaking details of lawmakers’ earnings on social media, attempted to resume plenary duties despite the House leadership insisting he had not followed due process to lift the suspension.
Eyewitnesses said the embattled lawmaker walked into the chambers and took his seat as usual, only to be confronted minutes later by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Okoye (Awka South II), and Hon. Innocent Ojike (Oyi Constituency), accompanied by security operatives. The lawmakers personally escorted Udemezue out of the hallowed chambers.
Security personnel also proceeded to the public gallery upstairs and ejected several supporters who had accompanied the suspended member to the sitting.
“The suspension was for three months, and it elapsed. I followed due process; I wrote all the necessary letters and submitted them to the appropriate authorities before coming today,” Udemezue told journalists outside the chambers. He is currently being held at the new legislative building within the complex.
House insiders, however, maintained that the lawmaker failed to fulfill certain administrative requirements and obtain formal clearance from the leadership before resuming legislative duties.
The incident occurred under tight security, with police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other agencies already deployed ahead of Governor Soludo’s arrival.
Despite the brief commotion, other lawmakers, commissioners, special advisers, heads of agencies, traditional rulers, party stalwarts, and civil society representatives remained seated as the Assembly awaited the governor’s presentation of the 2026 budget.
