Armed policemen, Tuesday, took over and barricaded people from entering the Cross River State House of Assembly following the sack of its 20 members by court.
The development came barely 24 hours after an Abuja Federal High Court sacked 20 lawmakers in the state house of assembly for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Public Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command Irene Ugbo told The ICIR in a telephone chat that the deployment of security agents to the house of assembly complex was based on intelligence information that suggested possible breakdown of law and order.
Read also: Court Throws out 20 Cross River lawmakers for Defecting to APC
“We got some intelligence reports that some hoodlums are trying to cause trouble there as a result of the court judgment yesterday.
“So to prevent breakdown of law and order, the commissioner of police gave an order for visibility patrol of the assembly complex,” she said.
When asked how long the police will remain at the complex, Ugbo said, “We will remain there as long as the court order stays; our men will remain at the complex.
“We heard the other group has gone for appeal, so we are waiting, but we shall continue to maintain security there for now.”
No cause for alarm- APC
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Cross River State has reacted to the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja which sacked about 20 lawmakers for defecting from the PDP to the ruling party.
The state APC Publicity Secretary, Erasmus Ekpang, who reacted to the judgement in a statement, assured the party’s members that the appellate court will do justice to the matter as it appeals the said judgement.
The statement quoted the state APC Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar Eba Esq as saying …”the Federal High Court judgment that was given against our law makers is nothing to worry about.”
“We trust that the appellate Court will do justice as we file our appeal.”
The party urged its members to remain calm, saying there is no cause for alarm.
