By; ODEYEMI SAMUEL, Akure.
Ondo state House of Assembly has continued to be engulfed in crisis following attempt by some members to effect a change of Leadership of the Sunshine Assembly since last week Friday, preventing Governor Olusegun Mimiko from presenting the 2017 budget.
On Wednesday, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko had announced his readiness to present the 2017 Appropriation bill to the state Assembly by 12 noon.
The Assembly which consist of 26 members had since broken into two factions, while 13 members loyal to the Speaker, Hon Jumoke Akindele, the other group with 13 members are laying claim to having simple majority having purportedly suspended the Speaker, her Deputy and the Majority Leader, Hon Ifedayo Akinsoyinu.
Having appointed a new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Malaki Coker since Friday, January 27, 2017, the Assembly Complex was stormed by the Malaki group, austentibly occupying the Chamber as early as 6 :00 am on Wednesday even as the premises was flooded with anti riot Police men.
All intrigues by the State Commissioner of Police to allow the Jumoke Akindele group to join in receiving the Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko fulfil his constitutional obligation of budget presentation was rebuffed by Hon. Malaki as they lay claim to the Hallowed Chamber
When asked on how 13 members out of 26 could form simple Majority, Hon. Malaki said, three members, that is the Principal Officers were suspended, the remaining 23 jointly took the decision, he now wondered why ten members should back out.
But on Thursday, February 2, 2017, as soon as Governor Mimiko and Jumoke Akindele arrived the gate of the state Assembly, Youths, suspected to be loyal to Malaki prevented the Governor’s convoy from gaining entry.
Policemen had to fire live bullets at protesting youths, as they repelled Gov Mimiko and Hon Jumoke Akindele entrance into ODHA Complex this afternoon, Governor’s convoy with that of Hon Jumoke made detour to Dome Complex even as more anti-riot Policemen were deployed to Assembly Complex.
Rt Hon Malaki Coker and other Law Makers had vowed to remain within the Assembly as long as the lingering crisis persist as they are still inside Assembly Complex as at the time of filling in this report.
