The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended four members for six months over allegations of plotting to remove Speaker Aondona Dajoh.
The suspended lawmakers are Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), Terna Shimawua (Kian), Cyril Ekong (Obi), and James Umoru (Apa).
The suspension followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Majority Leader Saater Tiseer, who accused the four legislators of attempting to destabilize the Assembly through plans to unseat the Speaker. Acting on the motion, Dajoh ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the lawmakers out of the chamber.
In the same sitting, the Speaker announced the appointment of Audu Elias as the new spokesperson of the Assembly, replacing Alfred Berger, who previously held the position.
The development came a day after the Assembly rejected two of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s eight commissioner-nominees. Those rejected were Associate Professor of Law, Yangien Ornguga, and Mr. James Dwen.
Ornguga, a lecturer at Benue State University, faced tough scrutiny after four petitions from his students alleging victimisation were presented to the Assembly. Six other nominees were, however, confirmed.
According to Tersoo Zamber, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, the confirmed commissioners include Theresa Odachi Ikwue, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, Dr. Adamu Margaret Ijaguwa, Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, Denis Iyaighgba, and Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche.
The House directed the governor to submit replacements for the two rejected nominees. Speaker Dajoh commended the lawmakers for conducting what he described as a transparent screening process and urged the confirmed commissioners to discharge their duties with integrity and dedication to the people of Benue State.
