A fresh wave of tension has erupted in Benue State as the House of Assembly has rejected a request from Governor Hyacinth Alia to screen and confirm his nominees for commissioner positions in the state executive council.
The Assembly’s decision was taken during a heated plenary session presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh. Lawmakers cited the governor’s persistent disregard for legislative resolutions and a lack of engagement with the Assembly on critical matters of governance.
Raising a motion of urgent public importance, Hon. Shimapever Jiji accused the governor of sidelining the legislature and treating its members with “total disregard.”
The motion was seconded by Hon. Pharm. Thomas Dugeri, who echoed concerns about the governor’s apparent disrespect for the Assembly and his failure to address prior resolutions. “We are not against governance, but we must insist on mutual respect and the rule of law,” Dugeri stated.
Several lawmakers contributed to the debate, insisting that the decision to halt the screening of commissioner nominees was not intended to obstruct governance, but to assert the independence of the legislature and demand accountability from the executive.
The Assembly outlined specific demands, including:
- Immediate issuance of official vehicles to affected members of the House.
- Full implementation of suspension orders previously issued by the Assembly to the Chairman of SUBEB, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board.
The lawmakers resolved that until the executive arm complies with these demands and begins to treat the House with due respect, no further correspondence or requests from the governor will be entertained.
The development signals deepening friction between the legislative and executive arms of government in Benue State, potentially setting the stage for a prolonged political standoff.
