The Traffic

Benue Drama: Gov Alia Washes Hands Off Failed Plot to Sack Speaker as 4 Lawmakers Face Suspension

Benue State’s political theatre took a dramatic twist on Friday after four members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for allegedly plotting to unseat Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh. The move, which sparked heated debate within the Assembly chambers, has now drawn a strong denial from Governor Hyacinth Alia, who distanced himself from the unfolding impeachment saga.

The suspended lawmakers — Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), Cyril Ekong (Oju 2), Abu Umoru (Apa), and Shimawua Terna (Kyan) — were accused of secretly mobilising colleagues to orchestrate an impeachment against the Speaker despite a recent vote of confidence passed on both the Speaker and the Governor.

House Tension Boils Over

The drama began when Majority Leader Saater Tiseer raised a motion alerting the House to what he described as a “dishonourable plot” by the quartet to destabilise the Assembly.

According to Tiseer, their actions, coming barely two days after the confidence vote, were aimed at plunging the legislature into chaos. He recommended a six-month suspension to serve as deterrence.

Lending his voice, Elias Audu (Gwer East) condemned the attempted coup against the Speaker and backed the six-month suspension. The Majority Chief Whip, Peter Ipusu, went even further, arguing that if he had his way, the lawmakers would have been banished for a year.

“If somebody pulls a trigger at you and fails, it is better you kill the person before he gets another opportunity to do it again,” Ipusu said pointedly, accusing one of the ringleaders of harboring ambitions of replacing the Speaker.

Speaker Softens the Punishment

In the end, Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh overruled the harsher recommendations, insisting the suspension be pegged at three months, not six. He then directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the affected lawmakers out of the chamber.

Governor Alia Denies Involvement

Amid speculations that the impeachment plot may have enjoyed tacit support from outside forces, Governor Hyacinth Alia swiftly issued a denial, insisting he had no knowledge of nor role in the failed move to remove the Speaker.

Observers say the governor’s denial is an attempt to quell rising tension and avoid being perceived as meddling in the legislature’s internal affairs.

The Bigger Picture

The suspension marks yet another episode in the increasingly fractious 10th Benue Assembly. Analysts warn that the crisis, if not carefully managed, could weaken legislative cohesion and distract from governance at a time the state is grappling with pressing economic and security challenges.

For now, the four suspended lawmakers will remain out of legislative duties for the next three months — a political timeout that underscores the volatility of Benue’s power dynamics.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna