Gov. Alia Bows To Assembly Pressure, Suspends SUBEB Chair, Otukpo LG Boss, Other

By Amos Aar

BENUE State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has suspended three top public officials in compliance with the resolutions of the Benue State House of Assembly.

Those affected are the Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Mr. Maxwell Ogiri; the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Grace Adagba; and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Lottery Commission, Mr. Michael Uper.

According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, on Wednesday, the suspension of the officials takes immediate effect and will last for one month.

Governor Alia, while announcing the action, said his decision was in line with the legislature’s resolutions transmitted to his office, stressing that his administration remains committed to upholding the rule of law, due process, and the principles of separation of powers.

He commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional mandate and assured Benue people that his government would continue to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The governor further directed the affected institutions to ensure uninterrupted service delivery within the period of the suspension.

However, while the governor’s action aligns partly with the lawmakers’ resolutions, the Assembly had earlier directed that the SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Adagba, be suspended for six months rather than one.

It therefore remains unclear whether the Assembly will consider Alia’s one-month suspension sufficient to meet its demands or if the standoff between the executive and the legislature will continue.

The development comes against the backdrop of the recent standoff between the executive and the legislature, during which the Assembly refused to screen commissioner nominees until the governor honoured its earlier resolutions.