Gov Alia’s Candidate, Dajoh, Emerges Benue Assembly Speaker

It was a sort of victory for Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia as his candidate for position of speaker of the 10th House of Assembly on Monday got elected as by members elect.

The member representing Gboko West state constituency Hyacinth Dajoh was elected as Speaker of the House after much politicking between the sitting governor and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.

The house was already divided into two factions, with one group supporting the andidate of Akume, Hon. Becky Orpin for the speakership position, while others supported Dajoh with the backing of Alia.

At the first ballot, the two contestants scored aggregate scores of16 votes each.

In a fears battle for the leadership of the House, Dajoh eventually polled a total vote of 17, while the member representing Gboko-East state constituency Mrs Becky Orpin got 15 Votes, making Dajoh eventual winner of the keenly contested election.  

Lami Danladi of Ado state constituency also emerge as the deputy speaker and was returned unopposed.

The session became rowdy with the lawmakers supporting each of the candidates almost engaging in fracas. Disagreement ensued when the two main contestants got 16 votes in the earlier vote cash, prompting the Clerk of the Assembly, Barr. Bernard Nule to order for a fresh election.

Some of the lawmakers were seen banging tables and engaging each other in a shouting match.

Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state had at its meeting in Makurdi on Sunday, adopted Mrs Orpin as its preferred candidate for the position of speaker.

In the resolution signed by the party chairman and the acting secretary, Austin Agada and Adah Ochojilla respectively, the party said the choice of Orpin was “in line with the fairness, equity and inclusive mantra of the Constitution of our party”.

In his inaugural speech, Speaker Dajoh said he was counting on the support of members to succeed, with a pledge to be a servant leader.

He pledged to ensure cordial working relationship between the lawmakers and the executive, adding that the success the house depends on the unity, because there is strength in unity, the house divided against itself cannot stand.

While appreciating the APC for providing the platform for him to contest election, the speaker also commended the he people of his constituency, Gboko-West, governor Alia and Senator Akume whose leadership has motivated them.