Amaechi escapes death, as mayhem breaks In Rivers Assembly

Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi survived being killed during a mayhem that broke out on Tuesday morning during a session in the Rivers State House of Assembly when hoodlums broke into the House and attempted to seize the mace.

The five lawmakers loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, had initially impeached the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, with a new Speaker, Evans Bapakaye Bipi, who represents 

Ogu/Bolo constituency, elected to replace him.

As Bipi mounted the speaker’s seat to give his acceptance/maiden speech, the Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, stormed the main chambers of the Assembly, with Amachree, other loyal lawmakers and security men, leading to exchange of fisticuffs.

In the course of fighting with dangerous weapons, the Speaker and Leader of the House, Chidi Lloyd, a lawyer, who represents Emohua constituency and loyal to Amaechi were injured. Lloyd is still in the hospital.

Also seriously injured are two anti-Amaechi lawmakers: Martins Amewhule and Michael Okechukwu Chinda who were also hospitalised.

When the clash subsided, the House later sat amid tight security, with 23 pro-Amaechi lawmakers in attendance and presided over by Amachree. Amaechi left immediately.

Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, was later ushered into the Assembly chambers and he presented minor adjustments to the 2013 budget, on behalf of Amaechi.

The Speaker said the amendment would not affect the earlier figure of N490 billion. Shortly after Ikuru left, the House was adjourned indefinitely, in view of the tension.

Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, in a telephone interview with Channels Television revealed that commotion started when Mr Bipi walked up to the speaker and started ‘slapping’ him as members were still exchanging pleasantries.

“While that was going on, they didn’t know that some hoodlums had accessed the assembly. The governor (Rotimi Amaechi) was informed and therefore left the government house to go and ensure that people were protected.

“As the governor got there, some people began to shout ‘shoot him’ ‘shoot him’. They were standing in the gallery. These were policemen who are paid by tax payers”

According to her, “When somebody tried to rush to attack the governor, people had to protect the governor.”