Benue Assembly Halts Screening of Nominees Over "Disrespect" from Governor Alia
The Benue State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended the screening of government nominees, including a list of eight proposed commissioners, following a unanimous vote. The legislators cited what they described as "persistent disregard" and "disrespect" for the legislative arm by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Key Issues Fueling the Dispute:
Governor's Alleged Contempt: The lawmakers, led by Deputy Minority Leader Shimapever Jiji, accused the governor of consistently ignoring and failing to act on resolutions passed by the House. This perceived lack of respect for the legislative arm's constitutional authority was the main reason for the suspension of screenings.
Specific Unmet Demands: The Assembly outlined several demands that must be met before they will resume communication and screen the nominees. These include:
Official Vehicles: The immediate provision of official vehicles for seven members who have not received them since the Assembly's inauguration over two years ago.
Implementation of Resolutions: The governor is required to implement the House's resolutions, specifically the suspension of the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board, pending investigations.
Protecting Legislative Independence: The lawmakers insisted that their decision was not an attempt to stall governance but rather to uphold the integrity and independence of the legislative branch. They affirmed their readiness to screen the nominees once the governor complies with their demands and shows respect for the institution.
History of Conflict: This is the latest in a series of tensions between the Benue State government and the House of Assembly, with past disagreements centered on the management of state parastatals and the removal of the state's Chief Judge.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
