Kwara Assembly defends suspension of Edu lawmaker, dismisses claims of illegality
……lawmaker alleges suspension due to refusal to support speaker’s governorship aspiration
The Kwara State House of Assembly has defended the three-month suspension of the lawmaker representing Edu State Constituency, Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon, describing his claims of illegality and unconstitutionality as misleading and unfounded.
The House’s position was contained in a rejoinder issued on Sunday following a press conference addressed by the suspended lawmaker, where he alleged that the disciplinary action taken against him was ultra vires and violated his constitutional rights.
According to the House, Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon was suspended for secretly recording the proceedings of a closed-door meeting of lawmakers and subsequently releasing the audio to an unauthorised person, an act it described as a grave breach of legislative protocol and parliamentary ethics.
The Assembly stated that the suspension was carried out in strict compliance with Order 4 Rule 14 and Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, stressing that the action was lawful, procedural, and consistent with the Standing Orders of the House.
It clarified that the sanction was not related to the lawmaker’s political opinions or contributions during plenary or committee sessions, but was solely based on the violation of confidentiality associated with a pre-sitting closed-door briefing.
The House explained that such closed-door sessions are convened to brief members on sensitive state policies and to enable frank and open deliberations, adding that all lawmakers are bound by their oath of office and House Rules to preserve the confidentiality of such meetings.
Describing the act of secretly recording and releasing the proceedings as contempt of the House, the Assembly noted that the offence amounted to serious misconduct and a breach of trust that warranted disciplinary action.
Contrary to the suspended lawmaker’s claims, the Assembly insisted that due process was followed. It disclosed that Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon appeared before an ad-hoc committee on December 17, 2025, to respond to the allegations and that he admitted to the act without offering an apology.
The House said the lawmaker’s admission informed the collective decision of members to suspend him in order to maintain discipline, order, and institutional integrity.
“The claim that the suspension is illegal is misleading and unfounded. No individual member is above the rules of the House, and accountability applies equally to all,” the statement read.
The rejoinder, signed by Hon. Shittu Motunrayo Rukayat, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Youth and Sports, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to transparency, democratic principles, and the rule of law, while pledging to protect the sanctity of its proceedings and public trust.
Honourable Gideon had earlier on Saturday in a press conference challenged his suspension and described it as illegal. The lawmaker also accused the Assembly of withholding his salaries and allowances.
He further alleged that his suspension is not unconnected to his refusal to support the governorship aspirations of the speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Salihu Yakubu Danladi
