The Benue State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Aondona Dajoh, has resolved to cease all legislative cooperation with the executive arm of government, including the rejection of eight commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The decision, taken during plenary on Friday in Makurdi, followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Deputy Minority Leader Shimapever Jiji (PDP, Logo).
Jiji, while presenting the motion, declared that the House would no longer honour or entertain any correspondence from the executive until the governor complies with its resolutions and meets the lawmakers’ demands—chief among them, the issuance of official vehicles to seven members who have yet to receive theirs two years after the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.
He cited Order VI, Rule 20, Subsection 2 of the House Rules, which entitles all members to official vehicles. Jiji decried the prolonged delay, stating that the denial had subjected the affected members to operational hardship.
“The 10th Assembly remains united and indivisible. An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, stressing that the House is constitutionally empowered under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to exercise oversight over the executive and its agencies.
Jiji also accused the executive of ignoring multiple resolutions passed by the House, including the suspension of the Chairperson of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for six months over alleged insubordination and contempt of the legislature.
Other unresolved resolutions include:
The suspension of the Executive Secretary, Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board, over alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds.
Disciplinary action against the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area for alleged financial misconduct and the unlawful closure of the local government legislative chambers.
“These resolutions have been duly passed and transmitted to the governor, but he has wilfully ignored them, which amounts to contempt and ridicule of this House,” Jiji stated.
The motion was seconded by Thomas Dugeri (APC, Kwande West), who criticized the governor’s alleged disregard for the legislature. He said that while the Assembly had never declined a request from the executive since its inception, it had received little respect in return.
“We have not witnessed this kind of legislative-executive disconnect anywhere else in the country. It’s unique to Benue, and it must be addressed,” Dugeri said.
In his ruling, Speaker Dajoh backed the motion and called on Governor Alia to immediately release official vehicles to the seven affected lawmakers.
He also reaffirmed the Assembly’s earlier resolutions and urged the governor to give effect to the suspension notices issued to the implicated appointees and the Chairman of Otukpo LGA.
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