Benue Assembly Extends Former Speaker’s Suspension

The Benue State House of Assembly has voted to extend the suspension of former Speaker Mr. Hyacinth Dajoh for an additional six months. The decision was made during plenary on Tuesday, following a motion accusing the lawmaker of continued attempts to destabilize the legislative body.

The motion, titled “Motion to review the Suspension of Hyacinth Dajoh (Gboko West State Constituency) from Legislative Duties,” was presented by Mr. Terna Shimawua (APC/Kyan).

Dajoh was initially suspended on August 26, 2025, for a three-month period. That action followed accusations that he had attempted to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Hyacinth Alia.

In presenting the motion for the extension, Shimawua stated that the former Speaker has demonstrated no remorse and has not apologized to the House since his initial suspension was enforced.

Shimawua further raised serious concerns that Dajoh allegedly collaborated with two other former principal officers during his suspension. These included former Majority Leader Mr. Saater Tiseer (APC/Mbagwa) and former Minority Leader Mr. Michael Audu (PDP/Adoka-Ugboju).

The lawmaker claimed the trio engaged in a fresh attempt to impeach the current Speaker, Mr. Alfred Emberga.

Shimawua described the alleged actions as wholly inappropriate for a former Speaker, a position that should exemplify leadership and sportsmanship among colleagues.

He stated that Dajoh’s recent conduct “does not reflect the expectations of a leader,” particularly following the recent change in the House leadership structure.

The motion for the extension of the suspension was unanimously approved by the members present, with the support of Simon Gabo (APC/Mata), who served as the seconder.

In his concluding remarks, Speaker Alfred Emberga stressed the paramount need to uphold the dignity and integrity of the legislature as an institution.

“Nobody is bigger than an institution,” Emberga declared, emphasizing that the Assembly must maintain discipline and respect for its established procedures.

The Speaker outlined the stringent conditions for Dajoh’s potential return. He explained that upon the expiration of the extended suspension, Dajoh would be required to submit a written letter to the Office of the Speaker if he wished to resume his duties.

Emberga emphasized that Dajoh must demonstrate genuine remorse and tender a formal apology before the House would consider his request to return to legislative duties. The extended suspension took immediate effect from November 25, 2025.