The controversy surrounding the three-month suspension of the councillor representing Orogun Ward 4 in the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative House, Israel Palmer, has deepened, with a serving councillor alleging that the decision didn’t receive the support of the majority of members.
The councillor, who participated in the July 2 plenary but requested anonymity, told The Trumpet that the suspension was hurriedly carried out without following due legislative procedure.
According to the source, the legislative arm had not held a sitting since passing the council’s 2026 budget, alleging that members were surprised when they were suddenly invited to a plenary without being informed of the agenda.
“For a long time we have not had any sitting. The last time the House met was when we passed the 2026 budget for the chairman.
“When they called this meeting, many of us were surprised and tried to find out the reason for the sitting, but there was no information,” the councillor alleged.
The source claimed that immediately after the sitting commenced, a motion seeking Palmer’s suspension was moved and quickly seconded without prior notice to members.
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“One of those who had planned the suspension simply moved a motion that the councillor representing Orogun Ward 4 should be suspended, and before you knew it, another member seconded it. Some of us raised a point of order, but we were ignored,” the councillor said.
He further alleged that members objected to the process and warned against using the attendance register as evidence that they endorsed the suspension.
“Because we had already signed the attendance register, we feared it would later be presented as if we had signed the suspension.
“About 97 percent of us made it clear that we were not party to the action because no reason was provided for the suspension.
“We even warned that if our names were included as signatories to the suspension, we would challenge it anywhere. That is why, up till today, they have not given Hon. Palmer any suspension letter,” the councillor alleged.
Palmer had earlier described his suspension as illegal and unconstitutional, insisting that it failed to secure the constitutionally required support of three-quarters of the House.
He also denied allegations that he insulted a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, challenging those behind the suspension to produce evidence to support the claim.
The Ughelli North Legislative House had announced Palmer’s three-month suspension over alleged anti-party activities, high-handedness and gross misconduct, saying the action was aimed at maintaining discipline and preserving the integrity of the council’s legislative arm.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the leadership of the Ughelli North Legislative House on the fresh allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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