Tension As Benue Assembly Refuses to Screen Alia’s Commissioners, Sends Strong Warning To Governor
The Benue State House of Assembly has refused to screen Governor Hyacinth Alia’s list of commissioner nominees, citing the state executive’s failure to meet its demands.
At Friday’s plenary in Makurdi, presided over by Speaker Aondona Dajoh, lawmakers declared they would no longer entertain any correspondence from the governor until pending resolutions of the house were implemented.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance by Deputy Minority Leader Shimapever Jiji (PDP, Logo), who insisted that the governor must first provide official vehicles to seven members of the 10th Assembly who have been without cars for over two years.
Jiji argued that the governor’s refusal violates Order VI, Rule 20(2) of the Assembly’s standing orders, which guarantees official vehicles for members, and described the situation as unacceptable.
“The 10th Assembly remains united. An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, warning that the legislature would fully exercise its oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution.
The motion also faulted Governor Alia for ignoring earlier resolutions, including the suspension of the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board, and the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area over alleged financial mismanagement and misconduct.
Seconding the motion, Thomas Dugeri (APC, Kwande West) criticised the executive for disregarding critical legislative directives, describing the standoff as peculiar to Benue State.
In his ruling, Speaker Dajoh directed the governor to urgently provide vehicles to the affected lawmakers and comply with the Assembly’s suspension orders before any further legislative cooperation would be considered.
