August 26, (THEWILL) — The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its immediate past Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, for three months over an alleged plot to impeach Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The suspension followed a motion of urgent public importance moved at Tuesday’s plenary by Hon. Terna Shimawua (Kyan Constituency), who alleged that Dajoh had convened a meeting of lawmakers at his residence on August 21 with the aim of using their attendance to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Shimawua urged the House to take disciplinary action, warning that the former Speaker’s moves could have plunged the state into political crisis.
The motion was seconded by Hon. Abu Umoru (Apa Constituency), who said Dajoh’s conduct merited sanctions.
In other proceedings, the House screened and confirmed seven commissioner nominees sent by Governor Alia in line with constitutional provisions.
Those confirmed include Ugwu Ameh Odoh, Aondowase Kunde, Kwaghgba Amande, Joseph Ter Jir, Tiza Imojime, Timothy Ornguga and James Dwem.
The latter two had previously been rejected during Dajoh’s tenure following petitions against them.
Their fresh confirmation followed a letter from Governor Alia, who noted that the petitions contained unsubstantiated allegations and that the nominees had not been indicted by any court of law.
The House also reinstated Hon. Cyril Ikong (Oju II) as Deputy Majority Leader, following the resignation of Hon. Kennedy Angbo (Otukpo/Akpa), who had occupied the position after Ikong’s suspension.
Meanwhile, Clerk of the House, Mr. John Hwande, has been redeployed to the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission as Secretary, while Mr. David Ochapa, Acting Secretary of the Commission, has been directed to return to the Assembly as Acting Clerk.
In addition, the Assembly recommended that Governor Alia lift the suspension of three appointees: Dr. Grace Adagba, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board; Mr. Maxwell Ogiri, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council; and Mr. Michael Uper, Executive Secretary of the State Lottery and Marketing Board.
The recommendation followed a joint letter of apology from the appointees, dated August 22, in which they expressed regret for their actions and pledged to work in harmony with the legislature.
Ruling on the matter, Speaker Alfred Emberga urged forgiveness, saying the appointees had “come to terms with reality” and assured that they would not undermine the Assembly again.
