The member representing Ayamelum Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Bernard Udemezue, has insisted that he did no wrong that necessitated his suspension by the state legislature.
Udemezue, who resumed plenary yesterday after his reinstatement, made this known while addressing newsmen at the legislative complex.
The lawmaker was first suspended in August for three months over social media posts in which he alleged the marginalisation of his constituency in the allocation of constituency allowances.
He reappeared at the House of Assembly during Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s budget presentation in November 2025, but was forced out by colleagues for failing to meet the requirements for readmission.
The next day, the House extended his suspension by another three months, emphasizing that the lawmaker must comply with the stipulated conditions to be considered for reinstatement.
The conditions include issuing a written apology to the Speaker and other members and posting the apology on his social media platforms within five days from November 26, 2025.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, Udemezue disclosed that he almost resigned from politics when his suspension from the Anambra State House of Assembly became overwhelming, and that it was later renewed for another three months.
According to him, the prolonged suspension took an emotional and political toll, especially as some constituents who initially supported his cause began to withdraw and question his stance.
“I felt that what was considered light depended on who was winning. I didn’t come into politics empty-handed, but in the interest of my people. At a point, I considered resigning and withdrawing completely from politics,” he said.
The lawmaker clarified that there were no formal conditions tied to his reinstatement, noting that upon receiving information about his recall, he immediately went on social media to tender an apology and appeal for reinstatement.
“I didn’t want to resume as someone who defeated the government or the Assembly. I wanted to return as someone who had been given the privilege to serve again. I don’t want to win against the Governor or appear as a strongman. I only want what is due to my people to reach them,” he said.
The lawmaker added that although many believed his reinstatement was conditional on the apology, there was no such agreement.
Honourable Udemezue maintained that he did not breach any standing order of the House or any provision of the Constitution.
Speaking on constituency empowerment funds, the Ayamelum lawmaker lamented that no funds were released to his constituency during his suspension.
He stressed that constituency allocations are meant for the people and not for personal benefit.
“Suspending me should not mean suspending my constituency. If empowerment funds are withheld, it is not I alone who is being punished, but the entire people of Ayamelum. That would be unfair and unconstitutional,” he said, while appealing to the state government to release the funds.
He also called on the state government to take firm action against contractors handling the rehabilitation of the Igbariam–Awkuzu–Ayamelum Road, reportedly awarded in 2025 at ₦6 billion but yet to be completed.
Honourable Udemezue urged the authorities to ensure that the contractors deliver on the project to ease the suffering of road users in the area.
