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The political crisis rocking the Benue State House of Assembly took another dramatic turn on Tuesday when lawmakers voted to extend the suspension of former Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh by an additional six months, effectively keeping him out of the chamber for a full nine months since the saga began in August.
Dajoh was first suspended for three months on August 26, 2025, following allegations that he masterminded a failed plot to impeach Governor Hyacinth Alia. The suspension came after a motion by the then Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, and was widely seen as a decisive move by the governor’s allies to neutralize perceived opposition within the legislature.
Tuesday’s plenary, however, saw lawmakers go a step further. A fresh motion sponsored by Hon. Terna Shimawua representing Kyan State Constituency argued that Dajoh had shown no remorse and had refused to tender a formal apology since his initial suspension. Shimawua went further, accusing the embattled ex-Speaker of now actively collaborating with Saater Tiseer (former Majority Leader) and Michael Audu (former Minority Leader) in what he described as a renewed conspiracy to destabilize the House leadership under the current Speaker, Alfred Emberga.
The motion received immediate backing from Hon. Simon Gabo of Mata State Constituency, and after a voice vote, Speaker Emberga ruled in its favor. Emberga maintained that Dajoh would only be readmitted if he issues a formal apology to the House for his alleged role in the impeachment plot against Governor Alia.
In a swift reaction, Hyacinth Dajoh rejected the extension outright, branding the decision “unconstitutional, null, and void.” Speaking through his media aides, the former Speaker insisted that the House lacks the constitutional powers to suspend a member beyond the initial period without fresh allegations and due process. He accused the current leadership of acting under external influence and vowed to challenge the decision through legal channels.
The development has further deepened the political divide in Benue State, with observers noting that the suspended lawmakers (Dajoh, Tiseer, and Audu) were once key figures in the legislature before falling out with the governor. Many see the prolonged suspensions as part of a broader effort to consolidate power ahead of future political contests in the state.
As it stands, Hyacinth Dajoh remains barred from the Assembly until at least May 2026, barring a successful legal challenge or an unlikely apology. The once powerful Speaker who presided over the 10th Assembly now watches from the sidelines as the house he once led continues to grapple with the fallout of the very crisis that swept him out of office.
The drama in Makurdi is far from over.
