Parliamentarians of the Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) Mobile Parliament have suspended its Speaker, Barr. Frank Ekpemupolo, for what they term as an abuse of office as regards the issue of tenure elongation of the executive arm of the youth body led by Hon. Shadrach Ebikeme.

The Mobile Parliament made its decision known on Sunday, October 29 in a statement it issued after rising from a meeting recently.

The full statement reads:

Recall an emergency meeting was called by the GYC Mobile Parliament on Wednesday 25th of October in response to a publication made on Saturday 21st October by the GYC executive announcing a tenure elongation for the Ebikeme-led executive after an emergency Congress held that day at Casa De Pedro Hotel Annex, Refinery Road, Delta State.

In the course of the meeting, several issues were raised concerning the said elongation. Firstly, it was duly noted that the tenure of the current executive had already expired since 29th May 2023. Also it was duly established that tenure elongation has no constitutional backing, granting only a three (3) years tenure to the executive as stated in "Section 10(1)"; neither has any amendment been made or effected in line with the Constitution.

Not withstanding, before the end of the parliamentary sitting, a publication was released by the GYC executive stating its purpose to be "kick starting the electoral process to introduce a new government".

Hence the position of the parliament at the end of the sitting was to educate the general youth body and other stakeholders of the position of the constitution and also appealing to those that have concerns as regards the tenure elongation, since the executives are backtracking on the issue by calling for a transition process. It was to be made clear that the parliament has no grudge against the executive, but committed to working side by side with them till everything about this tenure is brought to a peaceful halt.

But to our utmost dismay, the Speaker of the Parliament in the person of Barr. Frank Ekpemupolo, on his own accord, without the consent of the other members of the Parliament, went ahead to make a publication. Though the Parliament might not be alien to the issues in his publication, but it is totally not in compliance with the tenet and dictates of the house. It should be noted at this point that even the initial publication that called for the emergency meeting of the Parliament was done by him alone without due consultations, though this was overlooked by the house. But such act contravenes the dictates and practice of the Parliament. The Parliament frowns at it in its entirety. This is an abuse of the powers and office of the Speaker. The business of Parliament is not a one-man-show, while also dragging the names of every member into it; it is not acceptable.

Moreso, Section 13, No. 2(d) of the GYC Constitution 2010 as amended gives the power to the Parliament to suspend and/or discipline a fellow parliamentarian. To this note, the Parliament suspend the Speaker of the GYC Parliament from acting his office as the Speaker of the GYC Mobile Parliament from today, 29th October 2023.

Therefore we are calling on the general youth body and other stakeholders in the Kingdom to disregard the said publication and Barr. Frank Ekpemupolo is hereby mandated to retract his publication dated 27th October 2023, as it did not emanate from the Parliament, but from a man that is acting in his own personal accord and selfish interest and not in the interest of the Parliament or the Kingdom.

This has also led to the call by some members of the Parliament condemning the act of the Speaker in very strong words.

SIGNED:
GYC PARLIAMENTARIANS

OKERENKOKO ZONE
Pere Stephen Dekawei

OPOROZA ZONE
Moses Zibinmoghan
John Ezekiel
Omagbemi Nesley
Erike Amos

AZAMA ZONE
Franklin Ikpidi 
Preye Teibowei 
Theophilus Binama

KOKODIAGBENE/BENIKRUKRU ZONE
Mayor Ipopo Present
Maya Wisdom
Emomotimi Imoun
Sunday Wuruyai

#penglobalcommunity #GYC