The Benue State House of Assembly has declined a request from Governor Hyacinth Alia to screen and confirm his nominees for commissioner positions, citing the governor’s alleged disregard for the legislature.
The decision was taken during Friday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Shimapever Jiji.
He accused the governor of refusing to honour any resolution passed by the Assembly and of treating members with “total disregard.”
Hon. Thomas Dugeri, who seconded the motion, said the governor had failed to address pressing issues previously raised by the lawmakers, insisting that he had shown no respect for the hallowed chamber.
Contributors to the debate stressed that the move was not intended to stall governance but to compel the executive arm to respect legislative independence and honour prior commitments.
They said they were not opposed to screening the nominees, but the governor must first meet agreed conditions.
The Assembly demanded that the governor immediately provide official vehicles to the affected members and enforce suspension notices earlier issued to the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board.
In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Terver Zamber, said the House resolved not to honour or entertain any correspondence from the governor’s office until the demands are met.