On Monday, 30th September 2019, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly experienced a moment of chaos as thugs invaded the premises of the legislative house and began shooting sporadically. Prior to this development, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah who was expected to resign ahead of the governorship election in the State, following pressure from some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made away with the mace. He was however impeached by a faction of the House and replaced by a new Speaker, Hon. Monday Obolo, who represents Southern Ijaw State Constituency 2. Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah insisted that he adjourned plenary at the House and remained Speaker. According to news reports, the pressure on Rt. Hon. Isenah to resign stems from the fact that the lawmaker is from Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of the State, which is where the PDP governorship candidate, Duoye Diri hails from. Therefore, the party is making an attempt to have a spread of political positions across the State, to enable it garner votes in the November 16 election and retain power in the State.
A reconciliatory meeting convened by Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson on Sunday, 6th October 2019 has resulted in a peace deal between the former Speaker and his successor, as Tonye Isenah stated that he had let go of grievances stemming from the process that led to his removal while Monday Obolo underscored that the State legislature remains united.