POLICE DISRUPTS RE-OPENING OF RIVERS ASSEMBLY

The police in Rivers yesterday disrupted a sitting of the Rivers state
House of Assembly who were holding plenary for the first time since...

July when the House was sealed.
Twenty-five of the 26 members of the House loyal to embattled Governor
Rotimi Amaechi had converged on the Assembly earlier today to sit in
compliance with a high court order barring the National Assembly from
taking over the functions of the Assembly.
But as the lawmakers tried to gain entry, the police quickly descended
on the Assembly and sealed off the complex.
The lawmakers then decided to hold their sitting outside the complex.
But the police suddenly began shooting teargas and live ammunition at
the lawmakers who quickly took to their heels scampering for safety.
It is not known yet whether anyone was injured in the incident.
The deputy speaker of the Assembly, Leyii Kwani, who presided over the
sitting could not be reached for comments.
But the state Commissioner of Information, Ibim Semenitari confirmed
the incident.
She said, "It is an indication of the impunity ravaging the country
and a clear indication that the PDP under the present leadership has
lost all forms of democratic conduct.
They can't even pretend to wear a mien of civility rather they are
practising jackboot governance and repression worse than we have ever
seen under the military."
Ms. Semenitari said she would issue a full statement on the incident later.
The state police commissioner, Joseph Mbu, could not be reached for
comments at this time.