Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Gunmen on Monday invaded the Bayelsa State House of Assembly during plenary session and took away the Mace, the symbol of legislative authority.
Investigations revealed that the invasion by the gunmen is connected to the unfolding leadership crisis of the legislative arm over pressure on the Speaker, Rt Hon Tonye Isenah (Kolokuma/Opokuma 1), to resign as to pave the way for the election of the incumbent Majority Leader of the House of Assembly Hon Monday Obolo (Southern Ijaw 2) to take over as Speaker.
Isenah had on Friday disclosed to his colleagues and workers of the House of Assembly that he would resign on Monday September 30.
Reporters had been sent out of the legislative chamber and the lawmakers were having a closed door session when the gunmen invaded the Assembly and stormed the chamber, where they went for the Mace.