The political landscape of Benue State has been thrown into unprecedented turmoil following the dramatic resignation of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh.
According to The Sahara Reporters, sources revealed that the Speaker’s resignation was far from voluntary, but rather the result of intense political pressure from the office of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
The development comes in the wake of a damning investigative report by the Assembly under Dajoh’s leadership, which uncovered 42 allegations totaling N117 billion against Governor Alia. The charges range from financial mismanagement and gross abuse of office to unconstitutional interference in governance, nepotism, and failures in public safety.
The Assembly’s findings documented extensive irregularities in public procurement and contract management. Several contracts worth tens of billions of naira were allegedly awarded without due process, proper advertising, competitive bidding, or budgetary provisions.
One of the most glaring examples cited is a N73 billion road construction contract awarded to Bauhaus Global Investment Nig. Ltd. in January 2024 for the Mbawar Secondary School-Bako-Negher-Tyam-Naa-Adikpo/Calabar Road (20 km) with a 14 km spur, reportedly executed without any State Executive Council approval or budgetary allocation.
Other projects flagged include:
• N19.7 billion for the Obarike Ito-Adum East-Oju Road.
• N307 million for 448 solar streetlights in Makurdi.
• Over N14 billion for assorted government vehicles.
Even minor procurements, such as calendars, diaries, and billboards, were allegedly carried out without legislative approval.
The Assembly further accused Governor Alia of freezing state government accounts and diverting millions of naira meant for the 23 Local Government Areas, crippling their operations and undermining constitutionally guaranteed local autonomy as affirmed by the Supreme Court.
The report alleged that Alia concentrated key appointments in his native Vandeikya Local Government Area, in violation of the federal character principle enshrined in Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution. Several bureaus and parastatals were reportedly created unconstitutionally, with loyalists appointed as heads.
The Governor also faced accusations of worsening insecurity. In 2024, he signed an Executive Order banning public gatherings, wakes, and ceremonies—allegedly enforced by armed thugs. The Assembly noted that attacks across 17 LGAs led to the creation of 20 IDP camps, with two designated as mega camps.
In March 2025, Governor Alia allegedly deployed political thugs—popularly called the “NO ALIA NO BENUE” group—to block the High Court of Justice in Makurdi, preventing judicial officers, including the Chief Judge, from entering. Stones and debris were reportedly thrown at staff in a direct affront to the principle of separation of powers.
The report also accused the Governor of refusing to sign the 2025 Appropriation Law while carrying out expenditures without legislative assent, despite repeated warnings from the House.
Faced with these revelations and a looming impeachment threat, sources say Governor Alia moved swiftly to force Speaker Dajoh’s resignation. According to The Sahara Reporters, N2 billion was allegedly deployed to influence the succession, paving the way for the emergence of Alfred Emberga, representative of Makurdi-North Constituency, as the new Speaker.
The maneuver is seen as a calculated move to consolidate power and neutralize legislative opposition.
With 42 damning allegations now in the public domain, Benue State finds itself at a critical political crossroads. While Governor Alia’s camp maintains a firm grip on power, critics argue that the events reflect a dangerous erosion of democratic accountability, governance ethics, and institutional checks and balances.
Whether the allegations will lead to further constitutional action—or be buried under the weight of political maneuvering—remains to be seen.
