Kogi Assembly Crisis Deepens

The crisis rocking the Kogi State House of Assembly is far from over,as one of the factional groups yesterday flouted the directive of the national assembly,holding session at the assembly complex.

LEADERSHIP gathered that 11 out of the 12 members of the progressives which removed the embattled speaker,Hon. Abdullahi Bello sat around 9.am yesterday morning,with the new speaker,Hon. Lawal Jimoh presiding.

A member of the group,Hon. Gabriel Daudu representing Ogori/Magongo constituency confirmed to our correspondent that sat to deliberate on the sorry state of roads across the state,in view of the recent flood that ravaged some local governments.

He noted that there was the need for the executive arm to tackle the problem now,as failure to do that would affect the economy of the state.

The lawmaker further added that they have decided to forge ahead,as the state is bigger than any individual or group.

However,tongues are already wagging,with the other camp otherwise known as the integrity group kicking against the flouting of the rule of the house and directive of the adhoc committee on the crisis set up by the House of Representatives.

The chairman house committee on information and public enlightenment and one of the stauch loyalists of the embattled speaker,Hon. Salihu Akawu Salihu has condemned the action of his colleagues, describing it as illegal.

In a statement? made available to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday,Hon. Salihu disclosed that remained resolute in fighting the unconstitutional manner the speaker was purportedly removed from office.

It further condemned the? act of gangsterism and continued lawlessness on the part of his colleagues,stressing that “ one begin to wonder why they are so desperate with their act of lawlessness despite the intervention of the National Assembly and men of goodwill both within and outside Kogi State”.???????????

Salihu added that as a law abiding citizens and men of honour and integrity they would continue to remain on the path of peace, law and order,maintaining that no amount of intimidation, provocation and deceit would lure them to the path of lawlessness.????????

According to him,the 13 of them resisting this act of unconstitutionality would continue? to use constitutional and legal means to pursue their case to its logical conclusion,and appealed to the general public to remain calm and go about their lawful duties.