By Peter Omopo
Makurdi, August 9, 2025 — The Benue State House of Assembly has halted the screening of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commissioner nominees, insisting that the executive must first implement its earlier resolutions.
The decision, taken during Friday’s plenary in Makurdi, came moments after Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh read the governor’s letter forwarding the proposed cabinet list. Lawmakers across party lines cited unmet welfare, operational, and procedural demands as reasons for the standoff.
Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) stressed that while screening nominees was a constitutional duty, the Assembly could not proceed until outstanding issues were addressed. Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) lamented the non-payment of his first constituency allowance, incomplete chamber renovations, and the absence of official vehicles for seven members. He called for a suspension of sittings sine die until the governor acted.
Other legislators, including Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East) and Manger Manger (APC/Tarka), pointed to the failure to implement resolutions such as unfreezing state accounts and releasing constituency service funds. Kennedy Angbo (APC/Otukpo-Akpa) criticised what he termed the executive’s “nonchalant” attitude toward legislative resolutions, while Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala) condemned alleged online insults from aides of the State Universal Basic Education Board chairperson.
Some members, including Michael Audu (PDP/Adoka-Ugboju) and Abu Edoh (PDP/Agatu), opposed an indefinite adjournment, warning it could breach the Assembly’s required minimum sitting days. William Ortyom (PDP/Agasha) noted that the legislature had been sitting on plastic chairs for over two years, calling it a national embarrassment.
Ruling on the matter, Speaker Dajoh directed the governor to comply with the Assembly’s resolutions, including the suspension of the SUBEB Chair, Otukpo Council Chairman, and the Sports Lottery Board Executive Secretary. He further warned that until demands such as the provision of seven official vehicles were met, the House would not consider any further correspondence from the executive.
