By Amos Aar
THE LEADERSHIP crisis rocking the Benue State House of Assembly took a new twist on Tuesday as two lawmakers were suspended over alleged acts of gross misconduct.
The suspended lawmakers are Hon. Saater Tiseer and Hon. Michael Audu. While Hon. Tiseer was suspended for six months, Hon. Audu received a three-month suspension.
Their suspension followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, during plenary.
In the motion, Dugeri accused the duo, albeit without concrete evidence, of allegedly plotting to impeach the Speaker, Hon. Alfred Emberga Berger, an act he said was capable of destabilising the Assembly.
Dugeri’s motion was seconded by the member representing Gwer East Constituency, Dr. Elias Audu, who maintained that the stability of the House must not be compromised.
In a related development, the Assembly also recommended the removal of a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission, Mrs. Dorcas Mbatiav, over alleged gross misconduct.
Her removal followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Kyan Constituency, Hon. Terna Shimawua, who alleged that Mrs. Mbatiav leaked official and confidential information of the Commission.
Shimawua’s allegation was also not backed by any concrete evidence on the floor of the House. His motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Abu Umaru, who noted that her actions amounted to a violation of her oath of office.
Findings by National Record indicate that the suspension of the two lawmakers is part of the lingering power struggle within the Assembly, which earlier led to the removal of the former Speaker, Hon. Aondona Dajoh.
Both Tiseer and Audu were reportedly loyalists of the former Speaker during the leadership crisis.
