The Benue State House of Assembly has dismissed speculations that Governor Hyacinth Alia influenced the resignation of its Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, insisting the decision was personal and not politically induced.
Assembly spokesperson Elias Audu, speaking on The Morning Brief programme on Monday, stressed that lawmakers remain “independent-minded” and cannot be coerced into decisions.
“I’m convinced that the Speaker resigned based on personal principle. We are in a political dispensation, but if there are political undertones, there is no fighting in the Benue Assembly. Because the members are independent-minded, you can’t coerce them,” Audu stated.
Dajoh had tendered his resignation in a letter on Sunday, describing it as an act done “in good faith and in the best interest of the state.”
Audu described the move as the “collective will of members,” noting that proceedings were peaceful. “The immediate past Speaker Aondona Dajoh voluntarily resigned. He came, he saw, he conquered, he did his best for the peace and development of the state,” he said.
Following Dajoh’s exit, lawmakers at an emergency plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Lami Ogenyi unanimously elected Honourable Berger Emberga, representing Makurdi North, as the new Speaker. Emberga, who was recently suspended along with three others over an alleged impeachment plot, pledged to work with his predecessor and other members to advance the state’s development agenda.
The Assembly has also continued to assert its independence by rejecting Governor Alia’s commissioner nominees. Last week, lawmakers turned down the nominations of Prof. Timothy Ornguga and James Dwen after four petitions were raised against Ornguga, including allegations that he lacked a primary school certificate.
Governor Alia, however, has denied involvement in the Assembly crisis, stressing that he maintains a cordial relationship with lawmakers and remains focused on Benue’s development.
