The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Hyacinth Alia, insisting the executive must first address pending resolutions.
The decision was reached on Friday in Makurdi after Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh read the governor’s letter presenting his proposed cabinet members. Lawmakers cited issues including unpaid constituency allowances, incomplete chamber renovations, lack of official vehicles for seven members, and non-implementation of previous resolutions.
Thomas Dugeri (APC, Kwande West) said the Assembly had no objection to the screening in principle but stressed that longstanding concerns must be resolved before further cooperation. Simon Gabo (APC, Mata) lamented the absence of constituency funds and urged fair treatment from the governor, while Elias Audu (APC, Gwer East) criticised the executive for failing to act on passed resolutions.
Other lawmakers decried poor welfare conditions, with William Ortyom (PDP, Agasha) noting the Assembly had been sitting on plastic chairs for over two years. Some opposed calls for indefinite adjournment but agreed the screening should wait.
In his ruling, Speaker Dajoh directed the governor to comply with the Assembly’s demands, including providing vehicles, unfreezing state accounts, and suspending the SUBEB Chair, Otukpo Council Chairman, and Sports Lottery Board Executive Secretary. He warned that no further correspondence from the governor would be considered until the issues were addressed.
