By Fawaz Adebisi
An explosion and a fire outbreak rocked the Rivers House of Assembly complex on Sunday night, destroying a section of the building and causing panic among residents.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. and was reportedly followed by heavy gunfire from the police who cordoned off the area.
More than 10 fire trucks were deployed to the scene to battle the inferno, which was eventually brought under control.
The extent of the damage and the casualties, if any, were not immediately clear.
The cause of the explosion and the fire was also unknown, but some sources speculated that it was linked to a plot by some lawmakers to impeach Governor Siminilayi Fubara, who has been having a strained relationship with the Assembly and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The speculation was fueled by the fact that Governor Fubara had just sworn in five new commissioners on Friday, after they were screened by the Assembly on Thursday.
Some observers saw this as a sign of reconciliation between the executive and the legislative arms of government.
However, others believed that the impeachment move was still on course and that the explosion was an attempt to sabotage it or to create a diversion.
The Assembly was expected to resume sitting on Monday, but it is unlikely that they will be able to do so in the razed chamber.
