How Emberga emerged Benue Assembly’s new speaker

Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, representing Makurdi North Constituency has emerged the new Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly. His emergence was sequel to the resignation of the former Speaker, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, in a letter read by the Clerk of the House during an emergency sitting yesterday. The member representing Makurdi South Constituency, Douglas […]

Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, representing Makurdi North Constituency has emerged the new Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly.

His emergence was sequel to the resignation of the former Speaker, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, in a letter read by the Clerk of the House during an emergency sitting yesterday.

The member representing Makurdi South Constituency, Douglas Ackya, had nominated Emberga for the position. His motion was seconded by Abu Umoru, the member representing Apa Constituency.

Recall that the Assembly, had on Friday, suspended four members including the new Speaker for three months over alleged conspiracy and an attempt to remove the former Speaker.

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The suspended lawmakers were Alfred Aondoaver Emberga (Makurdi North), Shimawua Emmanuel (Vandeikya 2), Cyril Ikong (Oju 2), and Abu Umoru (Apa).

However,  21 lawmakers, including the Deputy Speaker of the House, Lami Danladi, who presided over yesterday’s sitting, lifted the suspension of the four colleagues after setting aside the rules of the House to accommodate them during the emergency session.

The development ushered the suspended members back into the chamber, bringing the total number of lawmakers at the sitting to 25 out of 32.

The new Speaker, who was sworn in at 6.30pm, under tight security around the Assembly complex, in his acceptance speech, pledged to uphold the integrity of the House, ensure effective representation and work harmoniously with the executive arm of government.

“I look up to us to provide sound laws, effective oversight, and quality representation. I wish to sincerely appreciate my predecessor, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh, for his service and commitment to the progress of this House and to the people of Benue State.

“His decision to resign, though, may be difficult, reflects his courage and respect for the institution of the legislature. We shall continue to build on the foundation he has laid as we move forward together,” he said.

 

Does Alia have a hand in the saga?

Meanwhile, there were allegations that the plan to unseat the former Speaker was hatched on Thursday night at the Government House in Makurdi, following recent developments, especially the alleged strained relationship between the governor and the Speaker.

Recall that the Friday suspension happened just two days after Governor Alia was alleged to have reluctantly upheld the Assembly’s earlier resolution suspending three public officials, though he was said to have reduced the lawmakers’ six months suspension to just one.

They were Maxwell Ogiri, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area; Grace Adagba, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Michael Uper, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Lottery Commission.

The Assembly under the former Speaker, Dajoh, had recommended a six-month suspension for the three officials, including the SUBEB boss, over alleged incompetence and obstruction of legislative oversight.

The House had vowed not to attend to any correspondence from the governor until its resolutions were adhered to, a reason adduced for the delay in screening the first batch of commissioner-nominees list sent to the Assembly.

Alia was, however, said to have bowed to pressure when he asked the affected officials to leave their various offices for one month instead of the six months.

The governor’s critics, most of whom took to the social media, alleged that the priest-turned-politician had picked too many fights – first with Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the APC structures, the judiciary, and now the legislature.

A social media user posted, “If you wanted to be sole administrator with autocratic powers, you should have come in 1984.”

A factional APC spokesman in Benue State, Morgan Ihomun, however, claimed that there was a night meeting at the Government House, also hinting on a widening rift between the governor and the Speaker.

“That is the beauty of democracy in action,” he said.

But a political analyst, Che Rex, said, “These are ego battles that do not serve the people. What we need is peace in the Assembly to legislate good governance.”

 

Alia denies claims

But Governor Alia through his spokesman, Tersoo Kula, has denied the allegation that he attempted to impeach Speaker Dajoh.

Kula in a telephone interview with our correspondent, said “Governor Hyacinth Alia is not aware of, and has no involvement whatsoever in any purported attempt to remove the Speaker or in any activities currently taking place in the Benue State House of Assembly.

“The governor holds the legislature in the highest esteem and maintains unwavering respect for the rule of law as well as the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government.

“He has consistently responded to communications and resolutions transmitted to him by the House. This commitment was demonstrated only a few days ago when he promptly upheld and implemented critical resolutions of the Assembly conveyed to his office.

“The governor had continued to enjoy a cordial and productive working relationship with the Dajoh-led Assembly, and remained committed to supporting it in the discharge of its legislative duties for the overall development of Benue State.”