Amid volleys of teargas fired into the chamber of Enugu State House of Assembly by security operatives to disperse a surging crowd, the lawmakers, yesterday, elected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member representing Udi North, Uche Ugwu, as Speaker.
Ezenwata Ezeani (PDP: Igboetiti West) emerged Deputy Speaker, while election of other principal officers of the Labour Party (LP)- dominated Assembly was deferred to a later date.
It could not be ascertained whether the deferment was as a result of discomfort created by the teargas. Proceedings for the inauguration of the 8th Assembly, conducted by the Clerk of the House, Emmanuel Udaya, had gone midway when the deep stench of teargas began to saturate the chamber, which discomforted the gathering.
Members and their supporters, government functionaries, journalists, among others, who were in the chamber, had to either wear facemasks or use handkerchiefs to cover their noses and mouths.
Coughing and sneezing rented the chamber. Many had to gasp for fresh air. Already seated persons in the chamber, who could not bear the stench, had to rush out to seek fresh air to avoid being choked.
It was learnt that a security officer, drafted to man one of the entrances, fired a teargas to ward-off a surging crowd attempting to gain access into the chamber.
Udaya, who coughed intermittently, quickly concluded the elections and handed over to the new Speaker. Ugwu, while accepting his election, apologised to members, as well as the gathering, for the unprofessional behaviour of the security officer.
He said: “I want to apologise for the breach. It was as a result of unprofessional behaviour of a security operative, which almost marred the essence of this gathering.”
Ugwu insisted that such conduct was not in the character of the state Assembly, which, he said, is known for its “peace and tranquility.” He pledged to be fair to all irrespective of party differences, stressing that his administration would live up to expectations. He added: “We shall align with Governor Peter Mbah. We shall negotiate rather than confront in resolving issues.”
