Mace broken as crisis erupts in Ogun Assembly over Amosun's N150b bond

The mace, the symbol of authority of any legislative house, was on Tuesday broken as crisis erupted in the Ogun State House of Assembly.
The crisis erupted during Tuesday’s sitting when some members of the House, led by the Speaker, Hon. Suraju Adekanbi, announced the suspension of four members of the House.
The suspended members were Hon. Remi Hassan, Hon. Adijat Oladipo, Hon. Allen Taylor and Hon. Job Akintan.
Sources in the House said the members were suspended to pave the way for the approval of a N150 billion bond proposal before the Assembly by the state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Immediately their suspension was announced, the House became rowdy, leading to the destruction of the mace.
The suspended members equally announced the suspension of the speaker and his replacement with Hassan.
Taylor, who spoke with newsmen, alleged their suspension was instigated by Amosun in order to have a smooth ride with the passage of the proposed N150 billion to be obtained by the state government.
Taylor said: “The Governor is not sincere.
“In fact, he is corrupt.
“Why collect another needless loan when you can’t account for the previous ones?
“Let him follow due process.
“His plot is to suspend four or more of us then move in to get the two-third of members to agree.
“We will fight for what is just.
“We will protect the interest of the good people of Ogun State that elected us.
“Let it be spelt out that we are not safe.
“If anything happens to us, the governor should be held responsible.
“The speaker has been bought.”
Shortly after the crisis broke out, a detachment of policemen were invited to the Assembly complex, which is located inside the State Secretariat, which also houses the Governor’s Office.
The members of the Assembly and others present, including newsmen, were dispersed with teargas.