Benue assembly suspends ex-speaker over ‘plot to impeach’ Hyacinth Alia

The Benue house of assembly has suspended Aondona Dajoh, the former speaker, over an alleged plot to impeach Hyacinth Alia, governor of the state.

The suspension was handed down on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Terna Shimawua, lawmaker representing Kyan state constituency.

Shimawua was among the lawmakers suspended last week by Dajoh, the speaker at the time.

Alfred Berger, the new speaker, ruled on the motion and reviewed Dajoh’s suspension from the six months proposed in the prayer to three months.

The house also confirmed Timothy Yangien Ornguga as commissioner, a nomination Dajoh had rejected last week.

The state parliament lifted the suspension on three political office holders suspended by the governor, including Grace Adagba, chair of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board; Maxwell Ogiri, chair of Otukpo LGA; and Michael Uper, secretary of the state lottery board.

BACKGROUND

Dajoh resigned as speaker on Sunday, about two days after suspending four lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him.

Less than 24 hours after Dajoh’s resignation, Berger, who represents Makurdi north state constituency, was elected speaker at an emergency sitting presided over by Lami Danladi, the deputy speaker.

Berger was among the lawmakers suspended by Dajoh.

The Benue assembly has been involved in a crisis that has dragged on for months.

In February, the Benue assembly suspended 13 lawmakers for three months for allegedly opposing the removal of Maurice Ikpambese, the state’s chief judge, whom they accused of gross misconduct and corruption.

The suspended lawmakers were said to have voted for Ikpambese’s removal but later dissociated themselves from the decision, citing procedural irregularities.

In July, some of the suspended lawmakers were reinstated.