The Benue State House of Assembly on Sunday elected Alfred Emberga as its new Speaker after Aondona Dajoh resigned amid weeks of crisis, with observers asserting that Emberga’s election strengthens Alia’s control of the Assembly, but questions remain over whether his leadership will restore unity or deepen divisions, writes John Charles
Amid palpable tension, the Benue State House of Assembly on Sunday elected Alfred Emberga as its new Speaker following the sudden resignation of his predecessor, Aondona Dajoh. The development capped days of political drama that rocked the Assembly and threw the state legislature into crisis.
In February, the Benue Assembly suspended 13 lawmakers for three months for allegedly opposing the removal of Maurice Ikpambese, the state’s Chief Judge, who had been accused of gross misconduct and corruption. Though the suspended lawmakers initially voted for Ikpambese’s removal, they later dissociated themselves from the decision, citing procedural irregularities. Some of them were reinstated in July.
Ironically, Emberga, who represents Makurdi North Constituency, was himself suspended on Friday alongside three other members for spearheading a failed attempt to unseat Dajoh. But at Sunday’s emergency sitting presided over by Deputy Speaker, Lami Danladi-Ogenyi, the House lifted its suspension, paving the way for Emberga’s nomination and eventual election.
About 27 of the 32 lawmakers reportedly slipped into the Assembly complex through the back gate of the Government House around 4:50 pm for the emergency plenary. The Clerk of the House, John Hwande, only arrived at 5:23 pm to commence proceedings, with the chamber still locked until lawmakers were ushered in. Majority Leader Saater Tiseer described the session as a response to the crisis that had engulfed the legislature in recent days.
“This is an emergency plenary, following the chaos that has engulfed the House in the past few days — a house divided against itself cannot stand. Today, we are having this emergency plenary to foster unity and in the interest of our state,” he declared.
Tiseer then moved a motion for the recall of the suspended members, which was seconded by Samuel Jiji of Logo Constituency. The House unanimously adopted the motion, and the four lawmakers — Alfred Emberga (Makurdi North), Shimawua Emmanuel (Vandeikya I), Cyril Ikong (Oju II) and Abu Umoru (Apa) — were ushered back into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The Clerk subsequently read Dajoh’s resignation letter, which the House adopted without objection.
In his resignation letter dated August 24, 2025, Mr. Dajoh wrote: “I write to resign my position as Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly effective today, August 24, 2025. This is done in good faith and in the interest of the state. I appreciate my dear colleagues for the opportunity they gave me to be the first among equals. I pledge to remain committed to my duties as a legislator and representative of Gboko West State Constituency.”
Following a call for nominations, Douglas Akyaa of Makurdi South nominated Emberga for the speakership, a motion seconded by Abu Umoru of Apa Constituency. With no rival candidate, Emberga was sworn in immediately by the Clerk. In his acceptance speech, Emberga commended Dajoh for “his service and commitment to the progress of the House and the people of Benue State,” while pledging to run an inclusive legislature. “To my esteemed colleagues, I assure you that this leadership will be anchored on inclusiveness, fairness and respect for diverse opinions. This House under my watch will work harmoniously with the executive and judiciary while maintaining our independence in line with the principle of separation of powers,” he said.
Although the speakership was zoned to Benue North-West Senatorial District, comprising the Jemgba and Minda blocs, Emberga’s emergence stirred political debate. Dajoh, from Jemgba, was expected to be replaced by another lawmaker from the same axis. But sources said Governor Hyacinth Alia’s allies opposed such an arrangement, insisting the position should shift to Minda, where Emberga hails from. A lawmaker who did not want his name in print said, “In the governor’s support base, retaining the position in Jemgba would be political suicide. Even in Minda, Akume, and former governor Samuel Ortom hold the ace. The governor’s allies pleaded that Emberga, who is the governor’s closest ally in the bloc, be allowed to lead the House.
“If left to the members, the majority of us did not support his emergence. But the governor’s allies insisted that there was no one else considered for this position except Emberga. Since the state belongs to all of us and what we need is unity and development, we all concurred that the governor should have his way.”
Following the emergence of Emberga, Governor Hyacinth Alia promised to work with the new leadership and members for the overall good of the state.
The governor, in a congratulatory message issued Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, commended the swift process that led to the emergence of a new leader of the legislative arm of government in the State.
He noted that the election of Mr. Emberga was a confirmation of the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues and a reflection of his commitment and ability to lead and uphold democratic values.
The Governor expressed confidence that “under the leadership of Mr. Emberga, the Benue State House of Assembly will continue to work tirelessly towards the formulation and enactment of laws and policies aimed at improving the lives of the people of the state.”
He called on the legislative arm of government to continue to maintain a strong and cordial relationship with the Executive and Judicial arms to ensure purposeful leadership in the state.
The Governor stated that “it is only through collaboration and cooperation that the state can achieve sustainable development and deliver dividends of democracy that will reach every citizen.”
It would be recalled that Dajoh, who became Speaker in June 2023 with the support of Alia against the preferred candidate of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was once seen as the governor’s staunch ally. But his relationship with the executive began to sour after he unilaterally recalled 13 suspended lawmakers loyal to Akume without the governor’s approval. Analysts noted that the Assembly’s decision to suspend the state Chief Judge, probe parastatals, and pass resolutions seen as embarrassing to the governor further strained relations.
A political analyst, Benjamin Akir, said, “The former Speaker tried his best to reunite the members. But problems arose when he recalled the suspended members without seeking the governor’s approval. He was also said to have held meetings where sensitive decisions were taken without consulting the governor, including the suspension of the SUBEB chairman, Otukpo LG chairman and the Executive Secretary of the Lottery Board in the guise of oversight functions, which unsettled the executive.”
Another commentator, John Udeyi, argued that Dajoh’s growing influence became a threat to the governor. “You should know that every governor wants an Assembly that will do their bidding. But Dajoh’s insistence that the governor must address Assembly resolutions or risk losing legislative cooperation was a trigger. He consolidated power, and that became unacceptable to the executive,” he said.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party condemned the development, accusing Governor Alia of destabilising the legislature. State Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, said, “The governor has reduced governance to a theatre of perpetual fights, reckless vendettas and ceaseless instability. Most shocking of all, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly was removed under the governor’s influence, plunging the legislature into turmoil.”
But the ruling All Progressives Congress dismissed the allegation, saying what transpired was a normal political development. State Publicity Secretary, James Ornguga, said, “Politics is a game of interest. If the Speaker’s interest doesn’t align with that of the governor, it is normal for such to happen. Similar incidents occurred under PDP governments. This is a legislative issue, and the Assembly will resolve it in its own peculiar way.” Observers believe Emberga’s emergence strengthens the governor’s hold on the Assembly, but questions remain about whether his leadership will unify or further polarise the divided legislature.(Punch)
