Police Seal Benue Assembly

Benue State House of Assembly, The was complex was on Friday sealed by heavily armed personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. No reason was given for their action. Members were prevented from going into the Assembly complex

No reason was given for their action. Members were prevented from going into the Assembly complex.

A source in the Assembly disclosed that the decision by the police to prevent members from gaining access to the Assembly had to do with the controversy over the impeachment of the former speaker, Mr Terkimbir Ikyange, who was removed from office earlier in the week.

Ikyange had swiftly kicked against his impeachment saying the process of his removal is illegal. 
However, it was reported As early as 8 am, police vehicles had blocked the main entrance of the state House of Assembly

image/channels tv

The lawmakers then attempted to enter the chamber through another gate behind the assembly complex, but they met another police blockade there.

This led to a heated exchange with a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tajudeen Bakare, who led the operation.

Bakare told the lawmakers that the information available to him indicated that there would be a breakdown of law and order.

However, the lawmakers insisted they would sit anywhere in the state as allowed by the Constitution since the police had taken over the assembly.

Mr Ikyange had rejected his impeachment declaring the process illegal and believes the lawmakers are bent on destroying the legislature.

However, the lawmakers told journalists that the impeachment process met all the constitutional requirements.

They vowed to carry on with the planned sitting in any part of the state, and eventually, moved to the Government House for plenary.

Source: Channels News