By Amos Aar
ALTHOUGH in his bid to beat the sixty days statutory deadline stipulated by the Nigerian constitution for a state governor to summit names of commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had on Thursday, July 27, 2023, which marked exactly 60 days of his administration after inauguration, reportedly forwarded 14 names of commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation, the names of nominees are yet to be officially unveiled.
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Recall that the constitution, following amendments by the last parliament, stipulates that the president and governors have, from the date they are sworn in, a 60-day window within which to appoint ministers and commissioners.
Although governor Alia had sent the names of his commissioner-nominees to the Benue State Assembly through a correspondence which was read by the Speaker of the House of Assembly during an emergency sitting on July 27, the speaker is still holding the list to his chest as he has refused to unveil the names until the day of the screening.
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However, a list has emerged on Benue social media with 14 names said to be Governor Alia’s nominees.
The names include: Hon. Aondowase Kunde (Konshisha LGA); Dr Aondona Mkor (Ushongo LGA); Hon. Eric Adokwu (Ohimini LGA); Dr Frederick Ikyaan (Gwer West LGA); Hon. Godwin Unum (Makurdi LGA); Hon. Imojime Isaac (Buruku LGA); Hon. Mrs Janet Ajine “Obi LGA); Hon. Jonathan Modi (Ukum LGA); Hon. Mrs Juliana Obeta (Okpokwu LGA); Hon. Kwaghgba Amande (Katsina-Ala LGA); Hon. Moses Detso (Gboko LGA); Dr Philip Tachin (Guma LGA); Hon. Simon Egahi (Agatu LGA); and Hon. Vangerbee Uhamber (Logo LGA).
The number of the commissioner-nominees were not up to the usual 16 but no explanation was given when the speaker read the governor’s correspondence.
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Reliable Government House sources who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), confided in National Record that the decision of the speaker to conceal the names from public domain was occasioned by alleged crisis between Governor Alia and his political godfather, Senator George Akume, who is Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Corroborating this speculation, a House of Representatives member from Benue State and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also told National Record on the condition of anonymity, that the duo are battling over who makes the list and who is allocated which ministry, with the SGF believed to be insisting on first picking strategic ministries, a situation which the Catholic priest is not comfortable with.
