The Ebonyi State Police Command has said it is yet to recognize anybody as Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Some members had on July 21 announced the removal of Chukwuma Nwazunku as Speaker, and his replacement with Mrs. Helen Nwobasi.
However, Nwazunku’s loyalists have dismissed his purported removal as null and void.
Two lawmakers, Oliver Nwachukwu and Vincent Nwibo, who were reportedly part of Nwazunku’s removal have since denied participating in the process.
Nwazunku has also claimed that since the House was on recess, he couldn’t have been removed in absentia.
Pointblanknews.com gathered that Nwobosi’s loyalists attempted to reconvene Monday morning at the Assembly complex, but were dispersed by anti-riot policemen.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chris Anyanwu denied knowledge of any attempt by a faction to sit.
Anyanwu, an Assistant Supritendent of Police (ASP) told Pointblanknews.com that no member would have contemplated sitting when the House is officially on recess.
“I don’t want to believe any member went to sit when the Assembly is in session. And I’m not aware of the police disrupting any meeting of lawmakers,” said the police spokesman.
He continued, “You know the House is factionalised. We don’t who the Speaker is. Well, unless there is a definite pronouncement, we don’t know who to recognize as Speaker since two people are laying claim to the position.”
The police spokesman said his officers and men would continue to be impartial in the crisis, and urged the lawmakers to resolve the matter in the interest of all.
“We are out to keep the peace and maintain law and order. We shall not in any way interfere in the business of law making. We are not concerned with who is and who isn’t Speaker. We shall however intervene the moment there is a threat to public peace,” he declared.