Benue Legislature On Collision Course With The Executive

Indication has emerged that Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia may be unable to reconstitute the Executive Council of his administration soon enough as expected. The indication emerged during the recent sitting where members expected to consider request by Governor Alia for approval of his list of nominees for the position of commissioners in the state, but did otherwise!

The plenary presided over by Speaker Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh declined to honour the request followed the motion of urgent public importance moved by Honourable Shimapever Jiji. It accused the Alia led executive government of disregarding allegedly the resolutions passed by the legislature including the unfair treatment of members described as “total disregard." The motion was supported by Hon. Pharm. Thomas Dugeri.

The House alleged that the executive arm usually failed to address very pressing issues raised by the legislature. The members sought to know why the executive wing tended to disregard the legislature in such brazen manner?

Insisting that refusal to honour to the request was not meant to frustrate the swift process of governance, the lawmakers noted however that it intended to send clear message for the executive to have respect for the independence of the legislature added to making the wing know importance of fulfiling past commitments.

Based on the above position,

the legislative arm demanded official vehicles for its affected members, believably yet to be served the facilities.

Similarly, the lawmakers want the executive to enforce the suspension order against the Chairman if the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

They sought also enforcement of the suspension on Otukpo Local Government Council Chairman as well as Executive Secretary, Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board.

In the unanimous decision, the House resolved that no action including the confirmation of commissioners would be taken in support of the executive arm till the demands for fulfilment of the conditions were met.