The Akwa Ibom state house of assembly was on Monday invaded by suspected thugs.

The suspected thugs reportedly prevented the lawmakers from gaining access into the assembly premises.

The development is said to be connected with a court order declaring vacant the seat of Idongesit Ituen, member representing Itu constituency.

Ituen was recently sacked as a member of the state assembly by the federal high court. The court judgement followed his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Luke Onofiok, speaker of the Akwa Ibom house of assembly, had a few days ago barred Ituen from attending plenary.

Meanwhile, the PDP has alleged that the APC is behind the barricade.

A tweet by the opposition party read: “The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA), premises is under heavy attack by members of @OfficialAPCNg thugs.

“The thugs invaded the complex, chanting the slogan “APC! Change” as they set fire and blocked the entrance to the assembly complex.”

The security operatives are presently at the assembly premises.