The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its immediate past Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, for three months over an alleged plot to impeach Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The suspension, announced on Tuesday, followed a motion moved by Terna Shimawua, lawmaker representing Kyan State Constituency, and seconded by James Umoru of Apa State Constituency.
Notably, Shimawua, who moved the motion, was among the lawmakers suspended last week Friday by Dajoh before his resignation as Speaker.
The current Speaker, Alfred Berger, who presided over proceedings, reduced the suspension from six months to three months without subjecting the matter to the customary votes.
Assembly Reverses Stance, Confirms Ornguga as Commissioner
In a surprising twist, the Assembly also reversed its earlier decision and confirmed the nomination of Timothy Yangien Ornguga as commissioner. Ornguga, a law lecturer at Benue State University, had previously been rejected under Dajoh’s leadership.
On Tuesday, Speaker Berger read a letter from Governor Alia requesting the confirmation of Ornguga and four additional nominees. The governor argued that Ornguga and another nominee, James Dwem, who were earlier rejected, had not been convicted of any crime despite petitions filed against them.
To the surprise of observers, lawmakers who had previously opposed their nomination offered no objections, allowing Berger to confirm them without the usual voice vote.
Suspended Officials Reinstated
The House further lifted the suspension earlier placed on three political office holders by the governor. Those reinstated include:
- Grace Adagba, Chairman, Benue State Universal Basic Education Board
- Maxwell Ogiri, Chairman, Otukpo Local Government
- Michael Uper, Secretary, State Lottery Boar
