Benue Assembly Lifts Suspension On 2 Lawmakers

The Benue State House of Assembly, on Friday, lifted the suspension on two out of four of its members who were suspended during the sitting on Monday December 4, 2023.

The four members suspended included Solomon Gyila, representing Gwer West State Constituency; Douglass Akya, member representing Makurdi South; Dyako Ashwa, member representing Konshisha State Constituency; and Anthony Agom of Okpokwu State Constituency.

Our correspondent reports that the four lawmakers were suspended for constituting a “clog in the smooth running of the legislative business of the state House of Assembly.”

However, during a sitting on Friday, December 8, the house lifted the suspension of Gyila, representing Gwer West State Constituency and Agom of Okpokwu State Constituency.

The motion to vacate the three months suspension on the members was moved by Isaac Agbo, member representing Ohimini State Constituency. The motion was seconded by Michael Audu, the House Minority Leader and member representing Adoka/Ugbouju State Constituency.

Agbo said if the members remained suspended they would be denied representation for their people. He also said he believed that if members remained united, no problem encountered would be insurmountable.

In his ruling the Speaker Hycinth Dajo, who presided over the sitting, said though the Assembly was willing to lift suspension of all the members affected, only two showed remorse and their suspension will be lifted immediately while the remaining two, including Akya, member representing Makurdi South, and Ashwa, member representing Konshisha State Constituency, will be given more time to reconsider their position.