The crisis in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly might have claimed its first victim as the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has removed the Police Commissioner, John Abang.
Already, the IGP has appointed Hyelasinda Musa Kimo as the new police boss in the oil-rich state.
Trouble might have started for Mr. Abang when he failed to stop the assembly from sitting and declaring vacant, the seats of five members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A Federal High Court in Uyo had the previous week declared the seat of the member from Itu State Constituency, Idongesit Ituen, vacant for defecting to a new party when there was no crisis in his former party.
The irony of the court decision was Mr. Ituen initiated the action apparently, to protect himself from being kicked out of the state legislature.
However, the ruling turned out against his interest and probably informed the decision of the majority of the lawmakers to remove the defectors.
And so early on Monday, the Speaker of the assembly, Onofiok Luke, during a special sitting, approved the motion to declare the seats of the defecting members vacant.
Within minutes, the motion was proposed and supported and the question was put and the gavel dropped.
With that Nse Ntuen from Essien Udim, Victor Udofia from Ikono, Gabriel Tobby from Etim Ekpo/Ika and Otonong Ndem from Mkpat Enin state constituencies lost their seats in the assembly.
The assembly was still in session when armed thugs invaded the complex and attempted to break into the chamber to stop the proceedings.
The thugs blocked the gates and burnt tyres preventing people from using the major thoroughfare connecting the assembly complex to the adjourning streets.
While the thugs unleashed havoc on the people, CP Abang dispatched a contingent of armed policemen to restore law and order and ensured the lawmakers, who voted to remove their colleagues had a safe passage from the complex.
But sources said the CP had earlier scheduled a courtesy visit to the speaker of the assembly for the morning but the meeting was abruptly cancelled when the lawmakers convened and voted their defecting colleagues out.
Observers said Mr. Abang might have been given marching instructions from “above” to ensure the deviant lawmakers did not hold the session that morning but he failed to do the job.
Instead of stopping the sitting, the police were seen carrying out their constitutional duty of maintaining law and order and ensuring that no life was lost during the crisis.
It is, however, surprising that instead of rewarding him for doing a good job and separating feuding colleagues and their supporters from festering into a full-blown war, he is being removed.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom removed
The action of the IGP seems to betray the counsel to his officers and men to desist from being partisan as the country approaches the 2019 general election.
Just as the Akwa Ibom Assembly crisis was brewing, Mr. Idriss had on Monday warned commissioners of police in the 36 states and the FCT and other senior officers against partisanship.
It was the Force Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, who sounded the warning while addressing newsmen in Abuja
Mr. Idris, therefore, directed the police chiefs to arrest and prosecute any party member or supporters in possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during campaigns and rallies.
He also advised all political parties to abide by the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and INEC guidelines.
“They are to prevail on their flag bearers, members, supporters and fans not to engage in any act or conduct that can incite violence,” the IGP had said.
He said the Force would not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal conducts from any individual or groups.
He said the directive followed the commencement of campaign by the various political parties for the 2019 general elections.
He, therefore, urged the commissioners of police and their supervisory AIGs to protect and safeguard all venues of campaigns until the end of the period.
According to him, the threat assessment and deployment of personnel to flashpoints and vulnerable areas have been carried out to prevent any friction.
He warned political parties to adhere strictly to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC Guidelines, and play the game according to the rules.
While it is still too early to conclude why Mr. Abang has been removed, it is important for the police authorities not to show support to one political group against another to forestall a situation that could plunge the country into needless bloodshed.
