The Edo state house of assembly has suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach the speaker and other principal officers.

Blessing Agbebaku, speaker of the house, announced the suspension of the lawmakers during plenary on Monday.

Donald Okogbe, one of the suspended lawmakers, is an ally of Philip Shaibu, former deputy governor of Edo.

Okogbe was the only lawmaker who did not sign the petition that led to Shaibu’s impeachment.

The suspended lawmakers are Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo 11), Bright Iyamu (PDP Orihonmwon south) and Adeh Isibor (PDP Esan north-east 1).

The speaker said the lawmakers are being used by some external forces to cause chaos, in a bid to change the leadership of the house.

After the speaker announced the suspension, there was a rowdy session in the assembly as the suspended lawmakers questioned his “unilateral decision”.

“Mr Speaker, you don’t have the right to unilaterally suspend any member of the house. You must call for votes. Allow members to vote on the matter,” the lawmakers were quoted as saying by NAN.

Afterwards, the speaker abruptly adjourned plenary.

In April, the assembly impeached Shaibu as the deputy governor after the report of a seven-member investigative panel was adopted.

The panel was set up by Daniel Okungbowa, chief judge of Edo, and was headed by S. A. Omonuwa, a retired justice.

Shaibu was accused of “misconduct, perjury, and disclosure of government secrets”.

Subsequently, Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, picked Omobayo Godwins as his deputy.