The Benue State House of Assembly has imposed a three-month suspension on the former Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, based on accusations that he tried to orchestrate the impeachment of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The motion to suspend Dajoh was introduced by the legislator for Kyan State Constituency, Terna Shimawua, and supported by James Umoru of Apa State Constituency during Tuesday’s plenary.
Notably, Shimawua, who put forward the motion, was among the group suspended the previous Friday by Dajoh prior to his decision to step down as Speaker.
The current Speaker, Alfred Berger, who presided over the motion, amended the proposed suspension period for Dajoh from six months down to three, bypassing the standard voting procedure for such issues.
In a sudden reversal on Tuesday, the Assembly also approved the nomination of Timothy Yangien Ornguga for the role of commissioner.
Ornguga, a university law instructor, had been turned down for the position the previous week under Dajoh’s leadership.
However, the new speaker, while presenting a letter from Governor Alia, proceeded to vet five additional nominees, which included the professor.
Berger stated that the governor was of the view that the two initially rejected nominees—Ornguga and James Dwem—had not been found guilty of any offense, notwithstanding the petitions filed against them, and had therefore requested their approval.
In a surprising turn, the lawmakers who had previously objected to their confirmation remained silent, allowing the speaker to approve both nominees without the customary voice vote.
Additionally, the House revoked the suspension of three political office holders who had been suspended by the governor. They are the Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, Grace Adagba; the Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri; and the Secretary of the State Lottery Board, Michael Uper.
Olugbenga Ige Olugbenga is a meticulous journalist with a career spanning more than nine years.He has a keen instinct for a compelling story and a talent for uncovering noteworthy reports.
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