By Amos Aar
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Monday denied raging speculations that he was plotting to remove his deputy, Sam Ode, before the end of their first term or to replace him with another running mate for 2027 elections.
The governor made the denial while inaugurating 17 Commissioners following his dissolution of the first cabinet on July 30, 2025.
Rumours of the plot got traction following the forced resignation of Hon. Aondona Dajoh as Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly last week.
Dajoh’s ouster came shortly after Governor Alia had debunked similar allegations that he was mobilising for his (Dajoh) impeachment.
“There is no vacancy for any deputy governor. I have a very good deputy who understands governance, is people-oriented, and very cerebral. He is capable, tested, and has all it takes to perform his functions. I love working with him and enjoy a personal relationship with him,” Alia said.
The commissioners who were sworn-in include: Dr Ortese Yanmar, Dr Fredrick Ikyaan, Michael Oglegba, Tiza Imojime, Alumo Orpin, Ugwu Odoh, Kunde Aondowase, Kwaghgba Amande, Joseph Ter Jir, James Dwem. Others were Dr Ornguga Yangien, Theresa Odachi Ikwue, Dr Benjamin Ashaver, Dr Adamu Margaret Ijaguwa, Dr Peter Oboh Egbodo, Dennis Iyaighgba, and Dr Paul Ejeh Ogwuche.
Governor Alia charged the newly sworn-in Commissioners to take governance to the grassroots his administration is for the masses. “If I were you, I will spend every weekend in the village. Let your people know, feel you, and smell you”, the governor urged.
He announced that portfolios will be assigned to the newly sworn-in commissioners at their first executive council meeting to be held on Wednesday September 3, 2025.
Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Hon. Dennis Iyaighgba pledged loyalty and dedication to the administration’s vision.
“We are not here to merely occupy positions but to provide value addition and ensure tangible results that improve the lives of our people,” he assured.
Speaking at his reception shortly after his inauguration, Dr Timothy Yangien Ornguga, an associate professor of law from Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), whose nomination had earlier been rejected by the House of Assembly following a deluge of petitions, but upon insistence by Governor Alia he was rescreened and affirmed, said all the allegations against him were untrue.
In a video clip recorded from the ceremony and shared on Facebook, Ornguga disclosed that he was very sure he was going to be sworn-in as commissioner and he wasn’t bothered and that he avoided the temptation of trying to know those who were writing against him on Facebook so that he wouldn’t keep malice with them.
“I think the last time I logged into Facebook was in July because I didn’t want to see what people were writing against me,” he revealed.
