Benue State Assembly Rejects Speculation, Confirms Dajoh Stepped Down Voluntarily

The Benue State House of Assembly has clarified that the resignation of its former Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, was a personal decision, with no influence from Governor Hyacinth Alia.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Assembly spokesperson Elias Audu made the statement on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, emphasizing that lawmakers operate independently of the executive.

Audu said, “If the governor had any interest in the matter, it is not within the knowledge of the Assembly. The Speaker was performing his duties, and after some time, perhaps due to certain decisions, he thanked the people for their support and decided it was time to step down.

“I am convinced that the Speaker resigned on personal principle. We are in a political system, but if there were political undertones, there is no conflict in the Benue Assembly. Members cannot be coerced.”

He added that Dajoh’s resignation represented the “collective will” of the lawmakers and did not indicate any crisis.

“The immediate past Speaker voluntarily resigned. He came, he served, and he did his best for the state. When he decided it was time to leave, members unanimously elected Honourable Berger Emberga as the new Speaker in a peaceful process,” Audu said.

Highlighting the legislature’s autonomy, Audu added, “We uphold the principle of separation of powers. Recently, the governor sent nominees, and we rejected them. If we feel his policies are not in the best interest of the people, we will challenge them. Since 2023, the House has functioned in peace.”

Governor Alia had earlier denied any role in Dajoh’s resignation, noting that he enjoys cordial relations with lawmakers and remains committed to the state’s progress.

Dajoh formally submitted his resignation on Sunday, describing the decision as made “in good faith and in the best interest of the state.”

During an emergency plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Lami Ogenyi, House rules were suspended to allow the unanimous election of Berger Emberga, representing Makurdi North, as the new Speaker.

Emberga, who was recently suspended along with three colleagues over an alleged impeachment plot, pledged to collaborate with his predecessor and fellow legislators to advance Benue State’s development agenda.