By Amos Aar
BENUE State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Tuesday directed the State House of Assembly to sack the caretaker chairmen of three local government councils of the state over alleged gross misconduct, embezzlement of local government revenue funds and indulging in unwholesome activities unbefitting of the office the chairman of a local government.
The suspended caretaker chairmen include those of Ukum, Rev. Gideon Haanongon, Katsina-Ala, Hon. Francis Zazan, and that of Gboko, Hon. Abraham Agber.
Reading the correspondence from the governor on the floor of the House of Assembly, the speaker, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, put a question before the house, seeking their approval which they gave expressly that the chairmen should be removed and that they should immediately handover to their deputies.
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The lawmakers went ahead to confirm the names of the new caretaker chairmen sent to them by Governor Alia which include Hon. Verlumun Avar for Gboko, Hon. Victor Iorzaa for Ukum, and Hon. Justin Shaku for Katsina-Ala.
National Record could recall that while the sacked chairman of Ukum was recently kidnapped and later rescued from alleged abductors, his Gboko counterpart who has also been fired was arrested by security operatives in January 2024 over alleged assassination attempt on the Benue Assembly Speaker.
The House, during Tuesday’s plenary, also received a report on delayed purchase of official vehicles for members presented by the chairman, house joint committee on Works and Housing as well as House Service, Hon. Manger Manager who represents Tarka state constituency.
The speaker referred the report among others to the House Standing Committee on Rules and Business for necessary action.
