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Daily Independent Online. * Friday, November 14, 2003.

Police take over Imo Assembly

•Removal of Majority Leader sparks crisis

By Ben Duru, Owerri



Plain-clothed policemen from the Imo State Police Command stormed the Imo State House of Assembly yesterday in an apparent move to prevent a break down of law and order resulting from the removal of the Majority Leader, Chief Stanford Onyirimba, from Ehime Mbano State Constituency.

The policemen were believed to have been drafted by the house leadership following another clandestine plan to unseat the Speaker, Chief Kelechi Nwagwu, over what the lawmakers claim to be lack-lustre leadership.

Daily Independent reliably gathered that the storm, which gathered over the assembly on the removal of the leader Wednesday, became so tense that the house leadership were afraid of the activities of the 18 Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers who met throughout the previous night.

Sources close to them said that the lawmakers resolved that any house officer who stands between them and their resolution would incur their wrath and face either removal or impeachment.

The presence of anti-riot policemen as well as detectives gave rise to what was in the offing. Just as the speaker entered the chambers, he adjourned the house "for two weeks."

The adjournment was announced before spectators and reporters could be allowed into enter into the gallery.

It was learnt that the speaker took the decision following threats by some members of the G-18 that he would be removed for daring them and making attempts to frustrate their resolution.

The speaker, who was afraid of what might happen if he allowed the normal proceedings quickly called in the policemen, and on their arrival, he entered the chamber and adjourned without calling for the majority and minority leaders to move the motion.

It is yet to be established what the group of 18 nicknamed 'talibans' by those who are not members would do, but sources said they are keeping their games up their sleeves and would unfold same as soon as the house reconvenes.

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