Gov Alia washes hands off plot to sack Benue Speaker

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has distanced himself from the failed plot to impeach the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hyacinth Dajoh.

The drama unfolded on Friday when four lawmakers, Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), Cyril Ekong (Oju 2), Abu Umoru (Apa), and Shimawua Terna (Kyan) — were suspended for three months after they were accused of leading the charge to topple the Speaker.

Majority Leader Saater Tiseer raised the alarm on the floor, insisting that despite the House passing a vote of confidence on both Speaker Dajoh and Governor Alia just two days earlier, the quartet went behind to mobilise members for chaos.

Tiseer moved that the four be slammed with a six-month suspension “for dishonourable actions capable of causing acrimony in the House.”

The motion immediately got backing. Elias Audu (Gwer East) seconded, while Chief Whip Peter Ipusu went further, fuming that if it were up to him, the lawmakers would be sent packing for a year.

“All our actions have consequences,” Ipusu thundered. “If somebody pulls a trigger at you and fails, it is better you kill the person before he gets an opportunity to do it again. He knew what he was doing. If he had succeeded, today he would be sitting up there as the Speaker. He failed, so he has no basis to remain here in the next six months.”

But in a twist, Speaker Dajoh overruled the call for six months, opting instead for three. He ordered the sergeant-at-arms to march the embattled lawmakers out of the chambers.

Governor Alia, however, denied having a hand in the messy impeachment attempt, saying he had no knowledge of the plot.