HOW many maces surfaced in the Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday? Two or threeas being alleged in some quarters? Will the judgement of a tiny minority of five overrule over that of 26? These and many more are some of the questions that have continued toagitate the minds of keen observers of political developments in the Assembly after the drama on Tuesday. As early as 7.30 am that Tuesday, members started streaming into the Assembly complex for the day’s business. Some, who had not seen themselves for a while, took time to exchange banters. The House, until that day, had not sat for about two months. So some of the lawmakers were probably seeing themselves after the House adjourned sine die. Youths were all over the Assembly complex. Nobody could say if they came to observe the proceedings of the House but they clustered in groups. Such sight is not unusual at the House on special days like when nominees for political appointments are scheduled for screening. Such nominees, oftentimes, mobilise relatives and supporters to cheer them when being screened. Security operatives were also all over the complex. They took time to search vehicles before being allowed into the complex while those on foot were frisked. The atmosphere looked busy. At the hallowed chambers, some of the members moved from their seat to exchange pleasantries, depicting a friendly and convivialatmosphere. Then, suddenly, the mood changed. Probably only the gladiators could explain what informed the provocation. All the journalists present could see from the gallery was a member landing the leader of the House, Hon Chidi Lloyd, a slap on his cheek. Within seconds, the House became chaotic, computers were destroyed and objects were thrown all over by the lawmakers. Policemen raced into the chambers. Their presence created an opportunity for the pro-Amaechi lawmakers to run out. House of trouble—Top left: Hon. Evans Bapakaye in a scuffle with Mobile Police officers during the fight at the Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday in Port Harcourt.Photos: Nwankpa Chijioke A speaker and questionable mace The five anti-Governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers now had the whole hallowed chambers of the Assembly complex to themselves. They are Michael Okechukwu Chinda, Victor Ihunwo, Michael Amaewhule, Godspower Kelechi Wogu and Evans Bapakaye Bipialaka . They immediately commenced sitting with a mace. Only the Assembly could say if the mace was fake or authentic. But there was a mace. Amaewhule moved a motion calling for the impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Hon Otelemaba Amachree; the motion was seconded by Wogu. They went ahead to pronounce Bipialaka as the Speaker. Bipialaka stood up, headed for the dais and sat on the seat reserved for the Speaker of the House. He then proceeded to give his acceptance speech. He was on this when the pro-Amaechi lawmakers that stormed out came in; this time accompanied by the governor. Fresh fracas ensued. One pro-Amaechi lawmaker dashed for the mace, broke it. A part of it was used to hit Chinda. A policemanalso dealt Chinda some blows. He managed to escape through one of the exit doors. About four lawmakers were allegedly injured in the melee that engulfed the House. Meantime, the pro-Amaechi lawmakers with Amachree as Speaker later reconvened. The deputy governor, Engr Tele Ikiru, was in the House to present an executive amendment to the 2013 budget. A mace was in the chambers, this time; it was not the one broken by the House member who was not with the lawmakers because he was reportedly admitted in a hospital for injuries suffered during the fracas. Amachree was not robed in the Speaker’s official attire. He was ushered into the hallowed chambers by the sergeant-at-arms who was carrying the mace. When he sat, he called on the Clerk to read out the order of the day. He was still talking when Bipialaka, who had earlier been made Speaker by five members, pushed his way into the gallery. He watched the proceedings briefly from there before he was forced out by some security operatives. He was accused of coming into the gallery with teargas; this could not be confirmed. Amachree told the majority lawmakers that Amaechi wanted the House to amend sub heads in the 2013 budget relating to some capital projects. He invited the deputy governor to address the House. Ikiru thanked the lawmakers for their attention, adding that he was representing his principal, Amaechi. He said he had come to present an executive amendment to the 2013 budget on capital expenditure, stressing that it would enable government deliver more on its promises to the state. The Speaker took over and explained that the amendment was not intended to add or remove from the N490,220,000 budget earlier passed by the Assembly. “The amendment is only on capital expenditure. We are not adding or removing from the budget.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:07:15 +0000
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