Lawmaker pleads as Police teargasses protesters
The lawmaker was one of the many people who were affected by the tear gas released by police officers at the Assembly complex.
A member of the Anambra State House of Assembly pleaded to be spared after police officers released tear gas canisters to disperse a crowd of protesters at the Assembly complex on Thursday, November 15, 2018, amid a leadership tussle.
Rita Maduagwu (Nnewi South II Constituency), was impeached as the Speaker of the House due to alleged incompetence, docility, financial impropriety and high-handedness and Ikemba Uzoezie (Aguata II Constituency) was elected as new Speaker on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.
The 51-year-old kicked against the impeachment and referred to the lawmakers that impeached her as ‘rascals’ whose actions she branded a “bundle of illegality”.
When the Assembly resumed on Thursday, policemen were stationed around the Assembly area from the Alex Ekwueme Square entrance of the complex as early as 8 am.
Despite the fact that workers of the complex and others were denied entrance, a crowd of supporters showed up reportedly in solidarity with Maduagwu.
Officers soon shot tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd, sending everyone running for safety from the smoke that filled the air.
A member of the Assembly, identified as Beverly Nkemdiche, was caught up in the commotion.
“They have killed me! I’m a member of the House. Please, don’t kill me,” she pleaded.
