Vice President Namadi Sambo met late yesterday behind closed doors with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and some House other leaders at the State House, Abuja.

Among those at the meeting believed to have dwelt on the crisis rocking the National Assembly were House Leader Adeola Akande and Deputy House Leader Leo Ogor.

Embattled House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal was conspicuously absent. It is believed that he was not invited to the meeting as those in attendance belong to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tambuwal had recently defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), creating ripples which reached a head yesterday, when he police and operatives of the State Security Service initially barred him from entering the House, sparking chaos. Senate President David Mark, who doubles as Chairman of the National Assembly, had to hurriedly shut the Assembly after consulting Tambuwal and Ihedioha. PDP and the Presidency insist that Tambuwal must quit as House Speaker, having left their party.

Presdient Godluck Jonathan is currently out of the country for an investment meeting in England. Neither Sambo nor any of those who met with him agreed to speak with State House correspondents.

•Photo shows Vee Pee Sambo.