Benue State House of Assembly has affirmed that the recent resignation of Speaker Aondona Dajoh was based on personal conviction and not influenced by external political pressure. This clarification was made by the Assembly’s spokesperson, Elias Audu, who stressed that the decision reflected the internal will of the legislature, not directives from Governor Hyacinth Alia or any other outside authority.

Audu stated, “I’m convinced that the Speaker resigned based on personal principle,” and added that the Assembly remains an independent body. He emphasized that lawmakers are not under the governor’s control, highlighting the rejection of two commissioner nominees as proof of their autonomy. “If the governor had any interest, it wasn’t within the Assembly’s knowledge,” he said.

Dajoh stepped down from his position over the weekend, citing his commitment to the progress of Benue State. His resignation followed the Assembly’s rejection of two commissioner nominees—Prof. Timothy Ornguga and James Dwen—due to unresolved petitions, including allegations that Ornguga lacked a primary school certificate. This fueled speculation about a rift between the executive and the legislature, which Audu denied, describing the transition as peaceful and democratic.

In an emergency plenary session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Lami Ogenyi, the Assembly unanimously elected Hon. Berger Emberga—representative of Makurdi North—as the new Speaker. Emberga had recently returned from suspension over alleged involvement in an earlier impeachment plot. He pledged to work collaboratively with his predecessor and fellow lawmakers to advance the state’s interests.

Governor Alia has also distanced himself from Dajoh’s resignation, reaffirming that his relationship with the legislature remains cooperative and development-driven. Despite political differences, both the executive and legislative arms have pledged to prioritize the people’s welfare.