Drama as Benue lawmakers scale fence to enter Assembly Complex
Members of Benue state House of Assembly on Friday, July 27, scaled the high perimeter fence surrounding the Assembly Complex and jumped into the premises in an attempt to hold a parliamentary session.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both the impeached speaker, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange (APC Ushongo ) and his successor, Titus Ubah, (APC Kyaan) were at the premises, both laying claim to the post of speaker.
Supporters of both sides forced their way into the premises through the high wall.
Both groups were, however, prevented from gaining entry into the main lobby of the complex to hold their meetings.
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The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, refused to either answer calls to his telephone line or reply text messages sent to him on the matter.
Ikyange was removed by 21 of 30 members of the House on July 24 during an emergency sitting.
The Assembly had adjournment on July 10 to resume on Aug.15.
Ikyange had told NAN that he remained the speaker since the right procedure was not followed in the impeachment process.
He said since the House was under adjournment, there were only two principal officers who could reconvene it, namely, the speaker and the deputy speaker.
He said none of the two officers reconvened the assembly.
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On the other hand, lawmakers loyal to the new speaker quoted the Standing Rules of the House to justify their action.
They claimed that in the absence of the two presiding officers, they could elect a pro-tempo speaker to preside.
Legit.ng earlier reported that there was tension in Benue following the suspension of the impeached speaker of the state House of Assembly, Terkimbi Ikyange, for six months.
The suspension took place at the old banquet hall of the Benue state Government House Makurdi on Friday, July 27.
This was after the police had barricaded the main entrance of the state House of Assembly.
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Source: Legit.ng
