THE Benue State House of Assembly has clarified that the resignation of its Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, was a personal decision and not a result of interference from Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Speaking in an interview today, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Elias Audu, said lawmakers in the state remain “independent-minded” and cannot be coerced.
“If the governor had any interest, it is not within the knowledge of the Assembly. The Speaker did his job, and after some time, he thanked the people and decided to step down. I am convinced his resignation was based on personal principle,” Audu said.
He described Dajoh’s decision as a “collective will” that was carried out peacefully, adding that the House immediately elected Honourable Berger Emberga as his replacement. Emberga, representing Makurdi North, was unanimously chosen at an emergency plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Lami Ogenyi.
Dajoh had resigned yesterday in a letter citing “good faith” and the best interest of the state.
Audu stressed that the legislature continues to uphold the principle of separation of powers, pointing out that the Assembly had previously rejected some of the governor’s commissioner nominees when they were deemed unfit.
“Most of the policies the governor wants to pursue, if we think they are not in the people’s interest, we will say so. Since inauguration in 2023, the House has been at peace, even though politics involves different interests,” he said.
Governor Alia also denied any role in the Speaker’s resignation, affirming his cordial relationship with lawmakers and commitment to Benue’s development.
Meanwhile, Emberga—who had only days earlier been suspended alongside three other members over an alleged impeachment plot—pledged to work with colleagues, including Dajoh, to advance the state’s growth.
The Assembly last week rejected the nomination of Prof. Timothy Ornguga as commissioner, following four petitions against him, including an allegation that he lacked a primary school certificate.
Another nominee, James Dwen, was also turned down after failing to defend petitions against him. Lawmakers have since asked the governor to present replacements.