Champion: The protracted political saga in Nigeria's Anambra State took the form of high drama yesterday as Speaker of the state Assembly, Mrs. Eucharia Azodo, tendered a letter on the floor of the House purporting that Gov. Chris Nwabueze Ngige has resigned from office.

However, in a swift reaction, Gov. Ngige denied resigning, saying he was still the state governor. He declared that the purported letter of resignation was falsified.

He said the incident was the handiwork of a group of politicians loyal to a party chieftain, who demanded that he sign a cheque for N3 billion in settlement of alleged governorship campaign debt.

Gov. Ngige was whisked from Government House, Awka by a contingent of heavily armed policemen as early as 9 a.m. in an unmarked Peugeot 504 car. His Special Assistant Mr. Fred Chukwuelobe was also arrested. The lawmakers upon receipt of the purported letter, subsequently accepted it.