Benue Speaker Dajoh resigns, Assembly elects Berger as successor

The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, has stepped down from his position.

Dajoh confirmed his resignation in a letter dated August 24, 2025, which he personally signed and made available to Channels Television.

The letter, titled “Resignation As The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly”, partly read:

“I write to resign my position as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, effective today, August 24, 2025.”

“This is done in good faith and in the best interest of the state. I want to 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 his resignation, lawmakers convened an emergency plenary session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Lami Ogenyi.

At the sitting, the House suspended its standing rules to allow the election of a new Speaker.

Alfred Berger, representing Makurdi North, was elected, despite having been suspended alongside three colleagues just last week.

Berger, who enjoys the backing of Governor Hyacinth Alia, pledged to work closely with Dajoh and other lawmakers in advancing the state’s development agenda.

Suspended Lawmakers

Last Friday, the Assembly suspended four members, Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), Terna Shimawua (Kian), Cyril Ekong (Obi), and James Umoru (Apa), for allegedly plotting to impeach Dajoh.

The suspension followed a motion of urgent importance moved by Majority Leader Saater Tiseer, who argued that the step was necessary to prevent a “needless crisis.”

The lawmakers were escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms, after which Dajoh appointed Audu Elias as the new spokesperson of the House to replace Berger.

Governor Alia Denies Involvement

Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia distanced himself from reports linking him to the alleged impeachment plot. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor maintained that he had no hand in the crisis.

“The governor, Hyacinth Alia, is not aware of and has no involvement whatsoever in any purported attempt to remove the Speaker or in any activities currently taking place in the Benue State House of Assembly.

He continues to enjoy a cordial and productive working relationship with the Dajoh-led Assembly,” the statement read.

Commissioner Nominee Rejected

Just a day before the resignation, the Assembly screened and confirmed six commissioner-nominees but rejected the nomination of law professor Timothy Ornguga.

The rejection was based on four petitions written against him by former students and questions over his academic qualifications, including the absence of a primary school certificate.

Lawmakers also declined to confirm James Dwen, directing Governor Alia to submit replacements for both nominees.