The Benue State House of Assembly has declined to screen Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commissioner nominees over the refusal of the state executive to assent to their demands.
During Friday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Aondona Dajoh in Makurdi, the assembly announced it would not honour any further correspondence from the executive until Governor Alia complies with outstanding house resolutions.
The lawmakers’ refusal to clear the list of eight commissioner nominees submitted by the governor followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Deputy Minority Leader Shimapever Jiji (PDP, Logo). The motion demanded that the governor first address the issue of official vehicles owed to seven members of the assembly who have been without cars since the 10th Assembly began more than two years ago.
Jiji emphasised that the denial of vehicles contravened Order VI, Rule 20(2), which entitles members to official cars, and described the hardship it has caused.
“The 10th Assembly remains united. An injury to one is an injury to all,” Jiji said, warning that the assembly’s oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution would be exercised firmly.
The motion also highlighted the governor’s failure to act on earlier assembly resolutions, including the suspension of the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board, and the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area over allegations of misappropriation and misconduct.
Seconding the motion, Thomas Dugeri (APC, Kwande West) criticised the executive for ignoring critical house directives, noting that such discord is unique to Benue State.
Speaker Dajoh ruled that the governor must immediately provide official vehicles to the affected members and give effect to the suspension orders.