Police barricade Akwa Ibom Assembly’s entrance

The premises of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, in Uyo, was shut on Wednesday, reportedly on the orders of the police.

Lawmakers and staff of the Assembly who had turned up to carry out their duties met heavy security presence, made up of anti-crime officers and police trucks, at entrances leading to the Assembly’s complex.

When approached, one of the police officers barricading the road leading to the Assembly said, “Sorry, there is no thoroughfare, nobody is allowed to drive or walk through this road.”

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Though the police is yet to make an official statement, Wednesday’s development may not be unconnected with the crisis that erupted at the state Assembly on Monday, when the Speaker, Oniofiok Luke declared vacant the seats of five lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The five aggrieved members had later that Monday also elected a member representing Essiem Udim state constituency, Mr Nse Ntuen as its own Speaker.

Factional Speaker, Ntuen had said the decision to change Luke as Speaker of the Assembly followed lack of confidence of members in Luke.

He described the process that led to their purported sack as illegal, null and void, noting the House rules were not duly and legally followed.