Hon Isreal Mgbuelo (2nd right) and Hon Dinedoeni Loolo (2nd left) with other lawmakers during inauguration of the 8th Assembly in Port Harcourt, last Monday. Photo: Chirs Monyanaga

Two miscreants and scoundrels, were Monday, arrested by security operatives at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as they were about to smuggle some items suspected to be properties of the Assembly out of the premises.
The arrest was made during the proclamation of the 8th Rivers State House of Assembly, by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The Tide learnt that while the inauguration was going on, some scoundrels broke into offices of some former lawmakers, and started looting properties at the assembly complex.
Sources revealed that items found with the miscreants from the lawmakers’ offices include 2013 diaries, canned drinks, bottled water, computers and flat screen television sets.
It was gathered that while the miscreants were trying to smuggle the computers and flat screen TVs outside the premises, they were arrested by officers of the Assembly Police Command.
When contacted, the Police at the command refused to speak to The Tide, but sources said that the suspects were kept in an excluded place.
It was further gathered that after the arrest and confession of the suspects, moves were made by the security officers and Assembly staff to lock all the entry points into the offices with chains and padlocks.
However, The Tide learnt that the Assembly complex, at the time of the incident, was flooded by visitors and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters, who had come in solidarity for their lawmakers.
But it was not immediately known whether those arrested were party supporters or miscreants, who took advantage of the rowdy atmosphere to loot the Assembly.
Meanwhile, the member representing Andoni Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, has emerged as the Speaker of the 8th Assembly even before the expiration of the 7th Assembly.
The 7th Assembly of the Rivers State House of Assembly is billed to wind down on 6th of June to give way for the 8th Assembly to commence.
It would be recalled that the 7th Assembly, headed by Rt. Hon Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, was inaugurated on 6th of June, 2011.
However, Ibani, as the new speaker, was elected shortly after the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike dissolved the 7th Assembly, and inaugurated the 8th Assembly on Monday.
The Tide gathered that 31 out of the 32 lawmakers voted in favour of Ibani’s emergence after he was nominated by Hon Kelechi Nwogu, member representing Omuma Constituency, and seconded by Hon Jones Ogbonda, member representing Port Harcourt I.
The member representing Abua/Odual and former Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Marshall Stanley Uwom, emerged as Deputy Speaker.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani commended the lawmakers for finding him worthy of the position.
The Speaker congratulated his colleagues on their victory at the polls, noting that the journey to the 8th Assembly was herculean due to the political crisis that rocked the Assembly.
According to him, “the journey has been tortuous; therefore, all activities must be done to give you a new lease of life.
“As a legislature, we will set a new legislative agenda that will incorporate the interest of Rivers State. Never again will this Assembly under my watch suffer legislative Armageddon. No member of the state Assembly shall be turned to a commodity that shall be traded on”, he said.
He promised to be transparent and involve all in decision making, even as he called for cooperation from members.
The House later adjourned its sitting to Thursday, June 4, 2015.