Rivers impeachment crisis: More chaos as police disperse assembly supporters with teargas

by Akan Ido
There are indications that the political fracas which culminated yesterday in the hospitalization of some members of Rivers State House of Assembly and the impromptu visit of the governor, Rotimi Amaechi to the complex may have continued today with reports of more violence.
Report say policemen have cordoned off the road from the government house to the Moscow Road location of the state House of Assembly.
Supporters of the different factions of the Rivers state Peoples Democratic Party in the state were said to have stormed the complex to show solidarity but  were prevented from going further by the police who threatened to use force in  halting their advance.
A sources at the government house say normal activities at the location has been disrupted with workers functioning under an atmosphere of fear and trepidation.
“Please, the police are shooting teargas into Government House, Port Harcourt. We are unable to conduct our normal business.
“The Commissioner of Police is threatening to enter the Government House to arrest the governor’s supporters who came on solidarity visit,” the source said.
Five members of the state House of Assembly led by Hon. Evans Bipi yesterday made an attempt to impeach the Speaker, Hon. Otelemaba Amachree but twenty seven members who are said to be loyal to the governor, Rotimi Amaechi resisted the attempt resulting in serious physical assault with one of the members, Chidi Lloyd pummeling another member, Kelechi Wogu with the Mace.
The governor had accused the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu of harbouring an agenda in his fight against crime in the state and this impeachment crisis has only served to expose the chasm which exists between both men.