Until the executive complies with its previous resolutions, the Benue State House of Assembly has refused to examine Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commissioner candidates.
This decision was made in Makurdi on Friday just after the governor’s letter outlining his suggested cabinet members was read by Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh.
According to Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), they have a constitutional obligation to examine nominees and, in theory, have no issues with it.
Although he emphasised that members have always backed the governor, he maintained that unsolved issues must be addressed before any further executive correspondence is taken into consideration.
Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) backed this up by saying that the governor’s recognition of the candidates’ legislative function indicated that they should cooperate.
Gabo claimed that his voters were being denied some planned projects because he had not received his first constituency payment.
He noted that because the governor’s restoration project was still unfinished, the Chamber had not yet begun to hold sessions.
Seven members, he added, had not received official automobiles.
Gabo urged colleagues to adjourn sessions sine die, stating that the governor should treat lawmakers equally even if he chooses to act alone.
Despite the fact that they weren’t, Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East) said that the circumstances seemed like a “state of nature.”
He pointed out that although measures like unfreezing state funds had been enacted, they had not yet been put into effect.
Despite being mentioned in the budget, Manger Manger (APC/Tarka) said they were not given constituency service monies.
He backed sine die adjournment and demanded that the correspondence be put on hold so that the leadership may continue to discuss their requests with the government.
The executive’s casual approach to resolutions, according to Kennedy Angbo (APC/Otukpo-Akpa), discouraged ministry and agency heads from accepting invites.
He called the seven members’ lack of official vehicles intolerable and requested that the correspondence be stopped.
Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala) agreed that the screening should wait till the governor complies with decisions, although he opposed sine die adjournment.
He also condemned alleged insults from social media aides of SUBEB Chair, Dr Grace Adagba, against legislators.
Michael Audu (PDP/Adoka-Ugboju) urged members to avoid sine die adjournment, noting they must meet the minimum sitting days required per legislative session.
Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) questioned how they could function effectively when welfare matters were treated as an afterthought.
He said they had avoided confrontation and given their all, and would continue doing so, but supported standing down executive correspondence.
Abu Edoh (PDP/Agatu) also opposed shutting down the Assembly.
William Ortyom (PDP/Agasha) said they were not trying to destroy the state, noting they could have continued sitting on plastic chairs for over two years.
He said the Assembly was the only one in the country still sitting on plastic chairs.
Majority Leader Saater Tiseer urged colleagues to remain calm, promising continued engagement with the executive until their goals were achieved.
Ruling, Speaker Dajoh directed the governor to obey the resolutions and suspend the SUBEB Chair, Otukpo Council Chairman, and Sports Lottery Board Executive Secretary.
He warned that without meeting demands, including the provision of seven vehicles, the Assembly would not honour any further correspondence from the governor.
