Aondona Dajoh, former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, has been suspended for three months after reportedly attempting to impeach Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Dajoh was suspended following a resolution made during Tuesday’s plenary session by Terna Shimawua, a member from Kyan State Constituency, and seconded by James Umoru of Apa State Constituency.
Shimawua, who moved the motion, was among those suspended by Dajoh before his departure as Speaker last week Friday.
The Speaker, Alfred Emberga, who ruled on the motion, reduced Dajoh’s suspension from six to three months without the usual vote on such issues.
The Benue State House of Assembly elected Emberga as its new speaker on Sunday.
The appointment came immediately after the resignation of former Speaker Aondona Dajoh.
The new speaker is one of four members suspended last Friday for attempting to oust the previous speaker.
The house resolved to lift the four members’ suspensions during the plenary session on Sunday, which was presided over by the deputy speaker, Lami Danaldi-Ogenyi.
The majority leader, Saater Tiseer, stated that the plenary was an emergency and presented a motion to lift the suspensions of the four members, which was seconded by Samuel Jiji of the Logo state constituency.
The deputy speaker said, “Following the motion raised by the majority leader and supported by members of the house, this house has resolved to lift the suspension of the four members.”
After the suspension was lifted, the four members were led into the chamber, where the new Benue speaker’s candidacy was announced.
Douglas Akyaa, a member representing the Makurdi South constituency, moved a motion nominating Emberger for the job of new speaker, which was backed by Abu Umoru of the Apa state constituency.
While there were no other nominations, Emberga took the oath of office delivered by the Clerk of the House, John Hwande.
