Gunshots, pandemonium in Akwa Ibom Assembly as five lawmakers start impeachment process against governor

There were gunshots and pandemonium in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo on Tuesday, as five of the lawmakers, whose seats were earlier declared vacant, rose from their sitting.
The five lawmakers, led by self-acclaimed speaker, Nse Ntuen, had earlier stormed the complex with some thugs and chased away workers.

They assumed their seats and started an impeachment process against Govermor Udom Emmanuel.
They also suspended 11 of their colleagues.
The atmosphere, however, became rowdy when the governor arrived at the Assembly Complex.
With him were the Speaker, Onofiok Luke, and about 20 lawmakers.

Immediately Emmanuel entered the premises, gunshots were fired by security operatives and some thugs around the premises.
Some people were heard shouting: “How can five lawmakers, led by Ntuen, suspend Luke who is leading about 20 lawmakers? It is illegal, shameful and unconstitutional”.
With the arrival of the governor, the speaker and other lawmakers, Ntuen quickly left the scene.
In fact, when some youths saw him trying to escape, they chased him.

As the governor entered the Assembly Hall, majority of the lawmakers, Assembly workers and others started shouting: “eight years, eight years”.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state,  DSP Odiko Macdon, who was in the Assembly premises, however, said he was gathering information and had yet to speak.
The complex was immediately cordoned off by the police to protect lives and property.
The governor was seen entering the speaker’s office to have a meeting with Luke.
After the meeting, the 21 lawmakers took their seats for proceedings to commence.

Clerk of the House, Mrs Mandu Umoren, was also seen with others seated.
Trouble started in the House on November 19 when Luke declared vacant the seats of the five lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).