Governor Udom Emmanuel, Tuesday, released N15 million largesse to appease some “youths” over their alleged role in quelling the crisis that rocked Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly earlier in the day.
Emmanuel who announced the amount to the “youths” numbering more than 100 said this done in reciprocation of their show of support to his administration.
The sacked legislators led by Nse Ntuen, the “factional speaker” had earlier entered the hallowed chamber of the state assembly, held a “plenary” and announced the “removal” of onofiok Luke and “suspension” of 11 legislators.
Straightnews reporter learnt that Onofiok Luke, the house speaker and other legislators who showed up for the business of the day in the house were barred by some security operatives and people suspected to be thugs allegedly loyal to the sacked lawmakers from entering the chamber.
A source close to speaker Luke said he had to alert Governor Emmanuel on the crisis and the need for quick intervention for fear of escalation.
The governor who arrived at the house premises with Senator Bassey Albert representing Akwa Ibom North East in the Senate, Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd), the Director-General of Divine Campaign Organisation; Ephraim Inyang-eyen, the state Commissioner for Works and other state officials scared away the “troublemakers” and restored peace to the house.
Straightnews reporter who was at the scene said as soon as the governor arrived at the gate of the state assembly, some “youths” who besieged the place joined security operatives and other “youths” in the company of Emmanuel in escorting him to the house.
According to him, “Some of the ‘youths’ said to be hanging around the gate of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly with others, who joined to escort him to the house got the largesse, though the governor did not state any reason for doling out the ‘magnanimous gesture.”
“When the sacked legislators knew that they would be overpowered by the security operatives and youths in the governor’s convoy, they tactically retreated and bolted away,” the reporter narrated.
Luke accompanied by other lawmakers were ushered into the hallowed chambers of the house for their plenary where they passed a resolution calling for redeployment of the state police boss, Musa Kimo and ordering arrest of the five sacked legislators.
Speaking after normalcy had returned to the house, Governor Emmanuel who was keeping vigil for a long time thanked the “youths” for their support to the government in restoring calm and normalcy to the restive house.
Happy Emmanuel directed Senator Bassey Albert to supervise the sharing of the money to the “youths” while the press and other onlookers were said to have left in anguishness.
Meanwhile, All Progressives Congress, APC, Akwa Ibom Chapter has kicked against what it styled “Udom Emmanuel Rapes Democracy in the Broad Daylight in Akwa Ibom State.”
A press release signed by Nkereuwem Enyongekere, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, stated “We condemn in its entirety the reckless invasion of Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly by Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Sen Bassey Albert, State Executive Members and PDP thugs in company of security agents to disrupt the peaceful ambience of the State Assembly.
“Nov27, 2018 was indeed a day Udom Emmanuel broadened outrageously the territory of his impunity as he traversed boundaries of laws with his well armed killer squad to force his way into Akwa Ibom State of House of Assembly without any invitation extended to him by the Speaker, Rt.Hon. Nse Ntuen.
“APC as a party cannot continue to fold its arms and watch the legislature controlled by its members being rudely harassed and molested by the very man that suppose to protect them.”
The party noted “Right now APC is bringing to the glow of publicity, the recklessness and obsession of Udom Emmanuel which are now on high alert with tracing of lunatic decoloration: pushing beyond the ambit of law in even attempting to rape democracy in a broad daylight.”
“How could Udom after perpetuating all the havocs, had obscene effrontery of claiming innocence and turning around to hold a press conference to level accusations on innocent citizens? This kind of attitude amounts to nothing but only a clever way that is always available to those who have characteristic thievish heritage in such act of criminality,” it queried.
It called on “the general public to discountenance such unholy enunciations emanating from his press conference because there are mere fabrications contrived to smokescreen the truth on ground,” saying “his incompetence and failures in utilizing the mandate properly in the way that would have given him hope of re-election, hence the madness all the way ! We frown seriously at this act of shamelessness orchestrated by Udom himself with no regard to the rule of law.”
APC warned “We warn that if Udom does not desist from turning the state into a battle ground, we will rise in our strength as the party of the masses to restore orderliness in Akwa Ibom.
“Meanwhile, we like to identify and associate with the Speaker, Rt Hon. Nse Ntuen on the unfortunate development in his domain. We thank him immensely for the levelheadedness and maturity in time like this.
“The party is afoot to subscribe its full weight of support even in time like this.”
