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Confusion In Bayelsa Assembly As Two Speakers Emerge …Thugs Disappear With Mace
There appears to be fresh crisis rocking the Bayelsa State House of Assembly (BYHA) with the emergence of two parallel leaderships, both within the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
The crisis in the state assembly made up of 24 members began when the incumbent speaker called the house to order about 10:00am, yesterday, and indefinitely adjourned proceedings before thugs suspected to be his supporters carted away the mace, a symbol of authority in the assembly.
It was learnt that over a week ago, Hon. Tonye Isenah had been under intense pressure to resign his position to give way for a new leadership or face impeachment.
The embattled Speaker, Hon. Tonye Isenah, had last Friday afternoon, hinted on his resignation, claiming it was due to pressure mounted on him by some People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to quit his position ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
It was alleged that, some suspected supporters of Isenah stormed the assembly shortly after proceedings were adjourned, fired warning shots into the air, throwing the whole chamber into a state of confusion before fleeing the legislative chamber with the mace.
Shortly after security personnel deployed, to the assembly brought the situation under control, journalists were ordered out of the chamber, as the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abraham Ingobere, took over proceedings in the absence of the speaker who left with some members of the House.
A motion of impeachment of the speaker was raised by the member representing Sagbama Constituency 2, Hon. Bernard Kenebai, under matter of urgent public importance and was seconded by Hon. Naomi Benjamin Ogoli, a member representing Ogbia Constituency 3.
The petitioner, Kenebai, alleged that the embattled speaker, Isenah, committed offences ranging from gross misconduct to derogation of duty, and should, therefore, be impeached in accordance to the rules of the house.
After hearing the motion of impeachment against the speaker, the House with the approval of the acting speaker, Ingobere, unanimously agreed and declared that Isenah is impeached and no longer the speaker of the state assembly.
Thereafter, a motion to nominate Hon. Monday Obolo to immediately take over from Isenah was also raised by Hon. Ofoji Ogboko representing Yenagoa Constituency 1, which was seconded by Hon. Naomi Benjamin Ogoli representing Ogbia Constituency 3.
In his acceptance speech, Obolo appreciated the members of the house for finding him worthy, assuring them that he will follow the guidelines of the house in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
He said, “I want to appreciate you from the bottom of my heart for this extraordinary favor to an ordinary citizen, for you to have found me worthy at this time of our democracy in the state assembly of Bayelsa.”
On his part, Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah, while reacting to the development, told newsmen, that “I did not go to the House as an impeached Speaker or the one that resigned. I adjourned sine die. Anything done without my reconvening the House is illegal. The House is an institution and a different arm of government that should be respected.
“That House has been adjourned and any member who participated in that illegality called impeachment. Even the Sergeant-At-Arms escorted me out and no one can reconvene the house.”
Isenah dismissed the report of his impeachment, and insisted that he remained the speaker of the assembly.
The plenary, yesterday, witnessed gunshots at the Bayelsa House of Assembly by some youths that stormed the assembly complex in Yenagoa.
Isenah, however, adjourned the session indefinitely for the House to proceed on recesses.
The members who sat back reportedly resumed sitting and allegedly impeached the speaker in absentia and without the mace.
A lawmaker said that there was tension around the assembly complex in the build-up to the sitting where the speaker was expected to resign, yesterday.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
