Don’t panic over heavy security at Abia Assembly – Speaker urges residents

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly has urged residents to remain calm following the increased presence of Police and other security agencies.
The Speaker, Chinedum Orji in a statement also explained the cordoning off of the State House of Assembly complex by security men.
The statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Jude Chijioke Ndukwe, said the Speaker requested security agencies in the state to warn political actors working to destabilize the state assembly to desist and toe the path of peace so that the current administration ends in peace.
The Speaker added that “Contrary to the insinuation in some quarters, the non-sitting of members, has nothing to do with any requests from the Executive, as such requests are usually channelled as Appropriation Bills and as of today, there are no requests for approval of any Appropriation by the Executive that is pending before the House.
“The House has since passed both requests last December”, the statement read.
It would be recalled that some members of the Abia State House of Assembly, including the former Deputy Speaker, Ifeanyi Uchendu were slammed with suspension by the House after a failed impeachment plot against the Speaker, Chinedum Orji.
When reporters visited the House of Assembly, it observed three Police vehicles and an Armoured Personnel Carrier parked in front of the legislative office with Policemen seen manning the entrance.