THE Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, has resigned from his position, capping a week of intense political drama within the state legislature.
News Point Nigeria reports that Dajoh’s resignation was formally conveyed in a letter dated August 24, 2025, personally signed by him and circulated to the press.
The letter, titled “Resignation As The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly”, read in part: “I write to resign my position as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, effective today, August 24, 2025.
“This is done in good faith and in the best interest of the state. I want to appreciate my dear colleagues for the opportunity they gave me to be the first among equals. I pledge to remain committed to my duties as a legislator and representative of Gboko West State Constituency.”
Dajoh’s resignation comes just days after a tense showdown in the Assembly, where four lawmakers were suspended for allegedly plotting to remove him.
The affected legislators were Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), Terna Shimawua (Kian), Cyril Ekong (Obi), and James Umoru (Apa). They were suspended for six months after the Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, raised a motion of urgent importance accusing them of fueling unnecessary crisis.
Following the motion, Speaker Dajoh ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the lawmakers out of the chamber. He further announced Audu Elias as the new House spokesperson, replacing Alfred Berger.
Amid speculations of executive interference, Governor Hyacinth Alia swiftly distanced himself from the unfolding drama.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor maintained neutrality: “The governor, Hyacinth Alia, is not aware of and has no involvement whatsoever in any purported attempt to remove the Speaker or in any activities currently taking place in the Benue State House of Assembly.
“The governor continues to enjoy a cordial and productive working relationship with the Dajoh-led assembly and remains committed to supporting it in the discharge of its legislative duties for the overall development of Benue State.”
Dajoh’s resignation also follows another controversy that rocked the Assembly just 24 hours earlier, when lawmakers screened six commissioner nominees sent by Governor Alia.
While six nominees were confirmed, the House rejected the nomination of Professor Timothy Ornguga after four petitions including allegations from his former students questioned his integrity and academic qualifications.
Ornguga, a law professor, was further challenged on his claim of not possessing a primary school certificate. The House also rejected another nominee, James Dwen, for failing to clear allegations leveled against him.
Dajoh’s sudden resignation raises questions about the stability of the Benue State House of Assembly, which has been plagued by infighting, petitions, and suspensions in recent weeks.
For now, Dajoh insists he will continue serving Gboko West Constituency as a legislator, but the battle over leadership of the Assembly appears far from over.
