Benue State House of Assembly has dissolved its leadership but retained the positions of the speaker, Alfred Emberga and the deputy speaker, Lamin Danladi.
The dissolution followed a motion moved by the deputy majority leader, Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South), during yesterday’s plenary in Makurdi.
Akya stated that since he was from the same local government as the speaker, it would be morally wrong for him to continue to function as the deputy majority leader.
He said it was morally right to step aside and allow the House to appoint another colleague as the deputy majority leader.
“Apart from the speaker and the deputy speaker that were elected, every other officer that was appointed should be dissolved, I so moved,” he said.
Cyril Ikong (APC/Oju) seconded the motion, stating that it was apt and timely.
Ruling, the speaker Emberga put the matter to vote, and members unanimously agreed that the officers that were appointed into various offices ranging from the majority leader to deputy minority whip be dissolved and new persons appointed.
The speaker then announced Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) as the Majority Leader, Dr Abraham Jabi (APC/Buruku) as the Deputy Majority Leader, Cyril Ikong (APC/Oju) as the Majority Chief Whip and Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) as the Deputy Chief Whip.
Others includes Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa) as the Minority Leader, Cephas Dyako (LP/Konshisha) Deputy Minority Leader, Samuel Jiji (PDP/Logo) as the Minority Chief Whip, Moses Egbodo (PDP/Obi) as Deputy Minority Whip.