Plot to impeach Benue governor thickens as Akume backs factional Assembly

The leadership tussle between the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume has taken a different dimension as factional House of Assembly has been directed to begin an impeachment process against the governor and his deputy, Barrister Sam Ode.

Recall that the thirteen suspended members of the Benue State House of Assembly on February, 20, 2025 held a Plenary Session where they unanimously elected the member representing Tarka State Constituency, Hon. Manger Manger as a factional speaker. 

Before then, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Dajoh Aondoana had on the 19th day of February, 2025 slammed a six-month suspension on the thirteen lawmakers, accusing them of going behind to do contrary to the unanimous agreement of all the Assembly members to suspend the embattled Chief Judge of the State, Justice Maurice Ikpwambese who was accused of multiple corruption, partisanship and breach of constitutional duties. 

Those suspended by Hon. Dajoh were Mr. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South), Mr. Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina-Ala East), Mrs. Beckie Orpin (Gboko East), Mr. Simon Gabo (Ushongo-Mata), Mr. Williams Ortyom (Agasha), Mr. Onah Blessed (Oju 1) and Mr. Elias Audu (Gwer East).

Others were Mr. Anyor Mato (Kwande East), Mr. Manger Manger (Tarka), Mr. Solomon Gyila (Gwer West), Mr. Samuel Agada (Ogbadibo), Mr. Abraham Jabi (Buruku) and Mr. Ezra Nyiyongo (Ukum).

The factional House of Assembly adjourned legislative businesses indefinitely Manger Manger from Tarka was elected as their Speaker. 

However, there were several media reports then that their action had the backing of Senator George Akume who had also instructed that members of the National Assembly Caucus led by Senator Titus Zam as well as all the federal appointees from Benue state like Matthias Byuan and Pius Akutah and co should raise funds to finance the legislative businesses of the factional House of Assembly.

Meanwhile, latest information as gathered by Nigerian Concord Newspaper is that Senator George Akume after he had sufficiently funded the Manger Manger-led factional House of Assembly has now instructed them to begin an impeachment process against Governor Alia and his deputy. 

The factional House of Assembly led by Hon. Manger will resume its Plenary Sessions in few days time where a Motion to suspend Hon. Dajoh Aondoana and other lawmakers loyal to him will be moved. 

It was also gathered that after they must have successfully suspended Dajoh and his fellow Assembly members, the impeachment process against the governor and his deputy will immediately commence. 

Meanwhile, the embattled Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpwambese was reported to be part of the process as he has agreed to immediately set up a Probe Panel that will work with the Manger-led House of Assembly to quicken the impeachment process.

According to reports, Hon. Manger will become an Acting Governor immediately after the impeachment till the time a bye-election will be conducted.

Speaking on the development, the Secretary of Benue for Good Governance, Barrister John said that it's unconstitutional for the thirteen suspended lawmakers to be having legislative businesses when their suspension has not been lifted.

He wonder how Plenary Sessions can hold in other places apart from the Chambers of the Benue State House of Assembly. He stressed that a fake Mace cannot be used to discuss any legislative business not to talk of impeaching a sitting governor and his deputy. 

Speaking further, he said this is a plan by the "so-called" APC stakeholders to create tension in Benue state. "They know that the impeachment won't work and if it works, there will be a bloody crisis in Benue state because Manger won't sit comfortably as acting governor so they know that the solution for the Presidency is to declare a State of Emergency which has always been their dream" he noted.

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