By Ubong Sampson
The vicinity of the Plateau state House of Assembly, Monday morning, witnessed a bloody clash between two thug groups over the ongoing battle for the assembly leadership.
Recall that Niger Delta Searchlight had earlier reported the controversial impeachment of embattled speaker Ayuba Abok by 8 out of 24 members of the assembly in a plenary that was presided over by his deputy, Saleh Yipmong, and during which the 8 members elected Yakubu Sanda (APC-Pengana) as the new speaker.
During an emergency session of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progresives Congress (APC) members on Monday morning, a group of thugs forced access into the assembly and attempted to disrupt proceedings.
According to our source who shared a video of the incident, the security personnel were taken by surprise when the thugs made their way into the Assembly complex and smashed the glass door of the gate.
While efforts by the security to prevent the group said to be loyal to the 8-member faction was only a near success, another group of thugs loyal to the embattled speaker also stormed the Assembly premises.
This led to bloody clash between the groups that resulted in the damage of entrance doors and windows before normalcy was restored by security personnel attached to the Assembly.
All roads leading to the Assembly were barricaded as youths bore placards in support of Abok who was impeached last week.
In the video, Ayuba was seen holding plenary with eleven members in his faction, calling for restoration of his leadership.
One of the 12 members loyal to him, Hon Timothy Dantong, said: “We are not leaving the House because this is where our immunity lies and such we shall continue to stay until Abok is brought back.”
