Kogi, Benue assemblies suspend LG chair, lawmakers over misconduct

The Kogi and Benue State Houses of Assembly on Wednesday announced the suspension of several public officials and lawmakers over alleged misconduct and abuse of office. In Kogi, the House suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche, for alleged gross misconduct and actions deemed capable of tarnishing the state’s image. Announcing the […]

The Kogi and Benue State Houses of Assembly on Wednesday announced the suspension of several public officials and lawmakers over alleged misconduct and abuse of office.

In Kogi, the House suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche, for alleged gross misconduct and actions deemed capable of tarnishing the state’s image.

Announcing the decision during plenary, Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf directed Onuche to hand over to his deputy, Victoria Okolo, pending the conclusion of investigations. He also set up a five-member committee, chaired by Hon. Bode Ogunmola (Ogori-Magongo), to probe the allegations and submit its report within one month.

Other members of the committee include Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye (Ijumu), Hon. Asema Baba Haruna (Adavi), Hon. Anthony Ujah (Olamaboro) and Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani (Lokoja I), with Muhammed Bello serving as clerk.

Meanwhile, three members of the Kogi Assembly — Hon. Bode Ogunmola (PDP–Ogori/Magongo), Hon. Idowu Ibikunle (ADC–Yagba East) and Hon. Sunday Daku (PDP–Bassa) — have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), giving the ruling party full control of all 25 seats in the chamber.

In Benue, the House suspended two of its members — former Majority Leader Saater Tiseer and former Minority Leader Michael Audu — for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The decision followed the adoption of a report by an ad hoc committee that indicted the two lawmakers for conduct deemed incompatible with their oaths of office.

During plenary presided over by Speaker Berger Alfred Emberga, the House resolved to suspend Tiseer for six months and Audu for three months to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Assembly also removed Miss Dorcas Mbatiav as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission for alleged gross misconduct and misuse of office.

Recall that in late August, the Benue State House of Assembly suspended its immediate past Speaker, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, for three months, barely a day after his resignation. The decision was taken during a plenary session presided over by his successor, Alfred Emberga.

The Assembly has been enmeshed in political turmoil over the past three months, beginning with the suspension of four lawmakers, Alfred Aondoaver Emberga (Makurdi North), Shimawua Emmanuel (Vandeikya 2), Cyril Ikong (Oju 2) and Abu Umoru (Apa), over allegations of conspiracy and an attempt to unseat the former Speaker.

However, the suspension was lifted a few days later when 23 lawmakers, led by Deputy Speaker Lami Danladi, convened an emergency sitting, set aside the House rules and reinstated the affected members, a session that eventually paved the way for Emberga’s emergence as Speaker.

The lingering feud between Governor Hyacinth Alia and his former political benefactor, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, has continued to polarise not only the Benue State House of Assembly but also the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.