By Ken Afor
The Cross River State Police Command has reportedly shut down the State House of Assembly Complex following reports of the impeachment of Rt Hon. Elvert Ekom Ayambem as Speaker on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the move by the police was to prevent any factions of the House from carrying out activities within the premises. Additionally, the security agency’s move is said to aimed at preventing potential violence or disruptive behavior, in order to maintain law and order, and safeguard government property.
Checks show that Security personnel have been deployed at the entrance and inside the Assembly building. Reports also indicate that Workers within the Assembly Complex have been instructed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogon Grimah, to vacate the premises.
According to media reports, the current whereabout of the Assembly Mace remains undisclosed. However, the premises is said to be calm, with tight security measures in place.
Confirming the Assembly shutdown, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, said, “For now, the Assembly is shut down. Normalcy has returned, unlike yesterday when there was a commotion.”
“They are politicians and they make their decisions. Ours is to protect lives and properties and make sure no hoodlums come and disorganize the place. Our men are on the ground and we are in charge of the area,” she added.
The New Diplomat recalls that on Wednesday, Ayambem was impeached by 17 members of the Assembly over allegations of misappropriation of public funds.
Ayambem’s impeachment motion was moved by Hon. Effiom Ekarika, representing Calabar South I Constituency of Cross River, and seconded by Hon. Omang Charles Omang, representing Bekwarra State Constituency of the state during a session on the House floor.
Reacting to the purported impeachment, the embattled Speaker said he remains the presiding officer of the legislative body.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Matthew Okache, on Wednesday, the embattled Speaker alleged that Ekarika disrupted the session by allowing unauthorized individuals to enter the chamber, leading to a chaotic situation.
He maintains that he remains the legitimate Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly despite the impeachment efforts by a significant number of members.
The statement read: “The Cross River State House of Assembly has been alerted to false news reports that the Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, has been impeached.
“To be clear, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly is, without a doubt, Elvert Ayambem. He is in the current position. What happened earlier today (Wednesday) during the plenary, when Effiong Akarika, a member representing Calabar South 1, disrupted the session by inviting hoodlums to enter the chamber, is a ridiculous charade with no constitutional basis.
“The House of Assembly is not aware of any impeachment notices being served to anyone before the frivolous act as witnessed at the chambers. The alleged impeachment and replacement are speculative, and the general public is urged to disregard fake news and dismiss any notion of a crisis. The status quo is that Elvert Ayambem is the Speaker of the House of Assembly.”
