JUST IN: Benue Speaker Dajoh Resigns Days After Impeachment Plot, Suspension Of Four Lawmakers

The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, has resigned from office.

His resignation was contained in a letter dated August 24, 2025, personally signed by him and made available to journalists.

The letter, titled “Resignation as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly,” read in part:

“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.”

Dajoh’s resignation came just days after the Assembly suspended four members over an alleged plot to impeach him.

Those suspended for six months were Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), Terna Shimawua (Kian), Cyril Ekong (Obi) and James Umoru (Apa).

The Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, who moved the motion for their suspension, accused the lawmakers of trying to “unsettle the state assembly with a needless crisis.”

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Following the resolution, Dajoh had directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the suspended members out of the chambers. He also replaced Berger as House spokesperson with Audu Elias.

Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia has distanced himself from the crisis.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said he had no role in the alleged impeachment plot.

“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. The governor continues to enjoy a cordial and productive working relationship with the Dajoh-led assembly,” the statement read.

The development followed another dramatic session at the Assembly, where six commissioner nominees were confirmed, but two were rejected.

One of them, Timothy Ornguga, a law professor, was turned down after four petitions from his former students alleged misconduct. Lawmakers also faulted him for failing to produce a primary school certificate.

Another nominee, James Dwen, was also rejected after failing to meet requirements outlined in petitions against him.

The Assembly has since asked Governor Alia to submit replacements for the rejected nominees.