The Benue State House of Assembly has emphasized that the resignation of its Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, stemmed from individual principle rather than any external influence from Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Addressing Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Assembly spokesperson Elias Audu stressed the independence of the lawmakers, stating: “If the governor had an interest, whatever it is, it is not within the knowledge of the Assembly. We don’t know. The Speaker was doing his job, and after some time, maybe because of certain decisions, he thanked the people for their support, and now he said it is time to go.” Audu emphasized: “I’m convinced that the Speaker resigned based on personal principle. We are in a political dispensation; we are playing politics, but if there are political undertones, there is no fighting in the Benue Assembly. Because the members are independent-minded, you can’t coerce them.”
Describing the change in leadership as a seamless one, Audu added: “The immediate past Speaker Aondona Dajoh voluntarily resigned. He came, he saw, he conquered, he did his best for the peace and development of the state. When he said this is the time to quit, we said one of our colleagues should step in and that was why yesterday the House unanimously voted Honourable Berger Emberga in a peaceful atmosphere.”
Dajoh’s resignation took effect on Sunday, following the Assembly’s rejection of commissioner-nominee lists submitted by Governor Alia.
In a related statement from the Benue State Government, Governor Alia was reported to have denied any involvement in orchestrating Dajoh’s departure. His Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said Alia was “not aware of, and has no involvement whatsoever in, any purported attempt to remove the Speaker,” reaffirming the governor’s respect for legislative independence and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Dajoh’s successor, Alfred Emberga, was swiftly elected in a unanimous vote during an emergency plenary held on Sunday, consolidating the transition’s peaceful nature.
