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The Benue State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that the resignation of its former Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, was pressured by Governor Hyacinth Alia, emphasizing that it was a personal decision.
In an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Assembly spokesperson Elias Audu stated that Dajoh’s resignation was driven by his own principles, not external influence. “The Speaker was doing his job, and after some time, he thanked the people for their support and decided it was time to go,” Audu said. He stressed that the Assembly operates independently and its members cannot be coerced into making decisions. “If the governor had any interest, it is not within the knowledge of the Assembly. You can’t force lawmakers; we are independent-minded,” he added.
Audu described the transition as a reflection of the “collective will” of the lawmakers, denying any crisis within the Assembly. Following Dajoh’s resignation on Sunday, an emergency plenary session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Lami Ogenyi, saw lawmakers suspend the rules to unanimously elect Berger Emberga, representing Makurdi North, as the new Speaker. “The immediate past Speaker voluntarily resigned. He came, he saw, he conquered, and did his best for the state,” Audu noted, highlighting the peaceful atmosphere during the election.
Governor Alia also denied any involvement in Dajoh’s exit, stating that he maintains a cordial relationship with the Assembly and is focused on advancing Benue’s development. In his resignation letter, Dajoh explained that his decision was made in “good faith and in the best interest of the state.”
The Assembly’s independence was further underscored by its recent rejection of two of the governor’s nominees, Timothy Ornguga and James Dwen, for commissioner positions. Ornguga faced four petitions, including allegations of lacking a primary school certificate, prompting lawmakers to request replacements.
Newly elected Speaker Berger Emberga, who was recently suspended alongside three others over an alleged impeachment plot, vowed to collaborate with Dajoh and other lawmakers to drive Benue’s development agenda. Audu reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to the principle of separation of powers, stating, “If we think the governor’s policies are not in the interest of the people, we will tell him. Since 2023, the House has been at peace.”
