The Benue State House of Assembly has turned down Governor Hyacinth Alia’s request to screen and confirm new commissioner nominees.
The lawmakers during plenary on Friday, accused the Governor of disrespecting the Assembly.
The State Assembly members pointed out that Governor Alia has failed to address several important issues presented to him by the legislative arm.
They therefore resolved at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, not to honour any request from the Governor until their grievances are addressed.
The position of the Assembly members was made known in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Terver Zamber.
The decision of the House followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Shimapever Jiji, in which he submitted that Governor Alia had often treated the Assembly, its resolutions and recommendations with “total disregard”.
Seconding the motion, Thomas Dugeri said Alia had not addressed several critical issues previously raised by the Assembly.
“The governor has no respect for this hallowed chamber,” he said.
Other members who spoke during the plenary also supported the stance of the first speakers, arguing that the decision to refuse the request from the Governor was not intended to stall governance but to uphold the Assembly’s independence and compel the executive to fulfil its obligations.
They added that before commissioners are screened, the governor must first demonstrate a commitment to prior agreements and respect the House’s resolutions.
The lawmakers listed their demands, including the immediate provision of official vehicles to affected members and the enforcement of suspension notices issued to the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, and the executive secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board.
The House resolved not to honour or entertain any further correspondence from the executive arm until the governor complied with their demands.
