Gov Alia’s 11 days on the saddle

judicial arms of government to enable them actualize set goals.

He urged the new legislators to be exemplary in their conducts, stressing that the Benue society has placed so much expectations on them, hence the need to deliver on their mandate.

According to the Governor, “The legislature not only give the people a voice in affairs of government, but provides the bedrock for the rule of law, equity and justice to reign in the polity.

“Due to the big role the legislature play side by side with the judiciary and the Executive arm of government, we are fully prepared to respect the sanctity of the doctrine of the separation of powers under a democracy.”

Alia, who pledged not to interfere with the internal affairs of the legislature especially in the election of its leaders, said “We are prepared to meaningfully work with those who you choose to lead the house.”

He however, advised members to choose from among themselves those that they will always be proud of their leadership qualities, adding “We will support the house with the training and retraining of staff of members of the House.”

He pledged that the Executive arm of government will work in harmony with the legislature and the judiciary to ensure effective service delivery to the people who are expecting so much from them.

Then the stage was set for the real deal as the Governor sat back comfortably to witness the event. The first ballot shocked everyone including the Governor who thought it was going to be an easy go for his team. But the Governor’s favored candidate and namesake Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh and the SGF and party candidate Becky Orpin tied on 16 votes necessitating a second voting.

A break was declared by clerk of the House Nule Igbawese for lobbying and negotiations by members of the House. Note that the Benue Assembly is composed of 32 members with APC having the majority of 22, PDP 9 and

Labor party,LP 1.

After over 2 hours of break, the house reconvened as the clerk asked everyone inside the gallery except the media to vacate. Then came the moment of heightened anger and acrimony amongst the members when the clerk announced that voting woulld be by direct mode. The house became rowdy with members involved in a shouting match even attempting to engage in fisticuff. Later, the secret ballot mode was adopted and members voted.

At end Dajoh representing Gboko West State Constituency polled 17 votes to beat his closest rival Becky Orpin who represents Gboko East State Constituency who scored 15 and emerge as Speaker while Mrs. Danladi Lami representing Ado State Constituency who had nominated the speaker emerged as Deputy Speaker.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, it was, learnt that the State Chairmam of APC Austin Agada was involved in a fisticuff with the Chief of Staff to the Governor Paul Biam at the Assembly complex.

Paul and Agada only recently before the elevation of the former to the position of Chief Staff to the Governor were executive members of the APC, with Paul serving as Secretary.

By installing a speaker of his choice, Governor Alia has asserted his authority as captain of the ship and avoided what happened to Immediate past Governor of the State Samuel Ortom when in 2015, a speaker Terkimbi Ikyange was imposed on him and there was attempt to impeach though he smartly averted it.

Many political analysts have viewed this recent development as interesting. They hailed Governor Alia for his action, maintaining the State has experienced underdevelopment because of influence of godfather. They believe that the Governor has not only demonstrated bravery but, given an indication and sent a signal that he is interested in walking his talk to develop the State.

Little wonder, he also, announced the sack of all categories of workers including those on contract engaged by his predeccesor Ortom that caught the ire of the opposition party PDP that described the action as unlawful, callous and insensitive, demanding for a reversal of the directive.

The question on the lips of Benue residents is, “will the Governor continue in this stride? Only time will tell.

Ogah’s position on President Tinubu’s leadership personal, not party position.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The leadership of Labour Party has said the interview granted by one of its House of Representatives members-elect, Hon. Amobi Ogah, wherein he expressed his satisfaction with the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that some of his colleagues have “agreed to go towards government decision” on the leadership of the 10th Assembly, is his personal opinion and not representing the party.

In a statement issued yesterday by National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, the party said though as a first time and newly elected lawmaker, the Memberelect made the utterance which is clearly within his rights as an individual as enshrined in the laws of the land however, the party has a view quite different from what the honourable member was quoted to have said.

“As an individual, he does not have the mandate to speak for the party and therefore cannot claim to be standing on the platform of the Labour Party to do same, giving views that are diametrically opposed to what Labour Party stands for.

“Labour Party is presently in the tribunal hoping to retrieve our mandate which was expressively given to our presidential candidate on the February 25, and every testament emanating from the tribunal points to the fact that Labour Party clearly won the election but was robbed. We have remained resolute to our belief that justice will be done and so soon.

“For the records, Labour Party has nothing against the personality of President Tinubu, however, we are challenging both the process and final outcome of the presidential election. We as a party insist that the route to His Excellency must be excellent and anything other than that amounts to a mockery of democracy.

“Finally, we urge millions of our party members who are irked and offended by Hon Ogah’s interview which has since gone viral to maintain their cool as the lawmaker has regretted his actions and has tendered unreserved apologies to the party”, the statement said.