The 10th Benue Assembly has suspended four members of the House “for conspiracy and attempt to cause chaos in the house.”
Those suspended include Hon. Alfred Emberga, Makurdi North (APC), Cyril Ekong, Oju II (APC), Hon. Abu Umoru, Apa, and Hon Terna Shimawua, Kyan (APC). They have been suspended from legislative duties for three months.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Saater Tiseer, Mbagwa (APC), moved the motion for their suspension.
It emerged yesterday that the susoended lawmakers had a secret meeting to change the leadership of the House after a confidence vote was passed on the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh and the Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, by the House earlier on Wednesday this week.
Terver Zamber, the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), said in a statement that the House considered the act of the four as “inimical to the peaceful coexistence of the House. ”
Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of the state, denied involvement in “any purported attempt to remove the Speaker or in any activities currently taking place in the Benue State House of Assembly,” his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, says in a statement.
According to the CPS, the governor holds the legislature in the highest esteem and maintains unwavering respect for the rule of law as well as the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government.
While Hon Ekong could not be contacted for his comments, Hon Emberga and Shimawua declined to comment.
This is the second time Hon Shimawua will be suspended from legislative duties in less than one month.
Meanwhile, the House has announced Hon Elias Audu, Gwer East, as the spokesman, with Hon Douglas Ackya, Makurdi South (APC), as Chief Whip and Hon Kennedy Angbo as Deputy Minority Leader.
In another development, the House screened and confirmed the nomination of Dr. Ortese Yanmar, Dr. Fredrick Ikyaan, Mr. Orpin Manasseh Alumo and Mr. Michael Oglegba as commissioners.
