The end of the crisis brewing within the leadership of Kogi State House of Assembly is not close to conclusion yet with the latest development emanating from Lokoja, the state capital.
It was alleged that the supporters and followers, belonging to the G8 group of the Speaker of the 6th assembly, Alhaji Momoh Jimoh invaded the Reverton Hotel premises where the other G17 faction were holding meeting after a distress call from the Majority Leader of the House, Prince Matthew Kolawole.
The hoodlums stormed the hotel, beating their followers, destroyed their cars and made way with valuables.
This was part of the disharmony within the house after the 17 legislative members impeached Momoh Jimoh representing Okene II constituency as Speaker and sworn in Hon. Godwin Osiyi from Ogori/Magongo as the new Speaker.
Narrating the ordeal to the Kogireports, the Majority Leader of Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Kolawole disclosed that he had earlier escaped a similar attack on Wednesday morning after leaving Skye Bank with Lokoja metropolis as the boys allegedly loyal to Honorable Friday Sani Makama attacked him but he escaped narrowly.
However, he was not so lucky later when hoodlums invaded Reverton Hotel where his Kia Sportage car with plate number “KGHA-03” was badly hit. The hoodlums also went away with his wallet, his identity card, cash withdrawn from bank earlier in the day and other valuables.
According to the factional new Speaker, Hon. Osiyi, the sponsor and perpetrators of such dastardly act were not after the peace of the state adding that such attack on their aides and their properties would only draw back the development of the state.
Hon. Osiyi said the leader of the assailants was recognised as one Abdul, the younger brother of the former Speaker Momoh-Jimoh Lawal who came in one of the Hilux vans attached to the former Speaker. He said no amount of attack on the new leadership of the house would stop them in their quest to make the legislative arms of the state functional and alive to their duties.
“This attack will only strengthen us and make us resolute in our stance against negative elements in the House”, he said.
“I got a distress call from Kolawole that he had been attacked in town by some hoodlums. Myself and other lawmakers decided to drive down to the hotel to deliberate on the issue when the suspected thugs invaded the hotel.
“Before we could call for help, the thugs had destroyed the cars and threatened to kill the owners of the vehicles. Apart from the vehicles that were destroyed, the attackers also stole money and other valuables in the cars.
Osiyi said it was unfortunate that the attack came a day after the state governor, Capt Idris Wada, met with the two factions and sued for peace.
