Pandemonium ensued yesterday at the Edo State House of Assembly as more than 50 mobile Policemen in a commando fashion, invaded the Edo State House of Assembly beating and chasing away workers doing renovation work at the complex.
The policemen who were led by Florence Joseph, an Assistant Superintendent of Police [ASP] also allegedly tear gassed the Speaker, Uyi Igbe, threatening to shoot him and other lawmakers who were there to supervise the renovation work.
She was further alleged to have disarmed Police Orderlies of the APC lawmakers, leaving that of PDP lawmakers who were also there to register their displeasure over the renovation work at the assembly.
Speaking on the matter, the suspended Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea said the renovation work was unnecessary as according to him, it all amounts to waste of public funds.
He said as the chairman of the House Assembly Tenders Board Committee, he ought to have been aware that complex needed renovation, adding the roof was just changed last year and as such does not need to be changed.
But addressing the media, the assembly committee chairman on Information, Youths and Sports, Kabiru Adjoto put the blame of Police invasion on the doorstep of the PDP, who he said resolved to destabilise the state and the House of Assembly.
His words: “The PDP had threatened yesterday that their members will sit at the assembly. Last week, The renovation work informed our relocating to the old House of at Government House. The workers were working and more than 50 mobile policemen entered the assembly and beat hell out of the workers.
“All the assembly staffs were ordered to lie down. The question is who the police are serving. The police commissioner and AIG Zone 5 said they don't know where the policemen who invaded here came from. These policemen were led by one Florence Joseph, an ASP.
“She tear-gassed Mr. Speaker and they pointed guns at everybody. The DCP came in and was helpless. He cannot even give his junior officers order to leave. Over the years, PDP has been known for political thuggery. We are going to defend our ground to the last.
