Security clash halts Akwa Ibom assembly meeting, lawmakers turn back

A clash between security officials at the Akwa Ibom Government House and members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday disrupted a planned meeting. The lawmakers had to stop their legislative activities at their temporary venue and return to the Speaker’s Lodge.

Sources from the assembly, including lawmakers and officials from the Speaker’s Office, revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that this incident took place as lawmakers returned from a month-long break. They intended to hold their meeting at the chamber of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs at Wellington Bassey Way End. This location has been the assembly’s temporary venue while renovation works continue at the Assembly Complex on Udo Udoma Avenue.

The sources said that security personnel assigned to the speaker were not allowed into the Government House because they were carrying long guns. The security officials there claimed this went against established security rules.

"The House of Assembly is an institution on its own. The Speaker insisted on going in with his security details, but they continued resisting. After about seven minutes of waiting, we got angry and said they could not keep us there longer than necessary. The Speaker and other lawmakers turned back and returned to the Speaker’s Lodge," one source said.

Another lawmaker blamed the incident on the excessive actions of the security personnel rather than any order from Governor Umo Eno.

"The Government House security personnel were simply being overzealous. The fault was not from the governor. The governor had sent about 12 executive bills to the House for consideration. Why would he then be the one to block us from plenary?" the lawmaker said.

Assembly confirms disruption

In a statement from the Speaker’s Office after the incident, the assembly confirmed that lawmakers, including Speaker Udeme Otong, could not access the temporary chamber for that day’s sitting.

The statement mentioned that the speaker had instructed the Chairman of the House Committee on House Services, Lawrence Udoide, to ensure the Assembly Chamber at the Udo Udoma Avenue complex is ready for legislative sittings by next Tuesday.

Jerry Otu, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, told journalists that this directive came after the clash between lawmakers and security operatives at the Government House gate.

Mr Otu described the behaviour of the security personnel as overzealous. He said their actions stopped members from accessing the temporary legislative chamber in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

This incident led to the decision to speed up preparations for the House’s return to its main chamber. The next plenary session has been scheduled for 9 June.

Assembly dismisses reports of executive-legislature rift

After speculation that the incident showed tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government, the assembly quickly denied these claims.

In a separate statement signed by House Leader Otobong Bob, the assembly said reports of a rift with the executive were misleading and did not represent the true situation.

"The Assembly wishes to clarify that there has been no rift in relations between the Legislature and the Executive. Both arms of government continue to work together and remain united in their commitment to serving the people of Akwa Ibom State," the statement said.

The House described the incident as a misunderstanding related to the security rules for access to the Government House.

It stressed that this temporary inconvenience should not be seen as an attempt to block legislative activities or undermine the assembly’s independence. The statement added that both institutions are dedicated to dialogue, respect, and cooperation to improve governance in the state.

The assembly has been meeting at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the renovation of its main chamber. They had said this temporary arrangement was to ensure they could continue their legislative work during this period.