The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended four of its members for three months, accusing them of hindering the smooth running of legislative affairs.
The suspension was announced during the plenary session on Monday.
The motion for the suspension was initiated by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Saater Tiseer, and was seconded by Mr. Peter Ipusu, the representative of Katsina-Ala West State constituency.
The suspended members are reportedly affiliated with the G-22 group of lawmakers, most of whom abstained from today’s sitting after initially reporting for the plenary.
According to the Speaker, the suspension is a result of the lawmakers “constituting a clog in the way of the smooth running of the legislative business of the House.”
The affected lawmakers are Mr. Solomon Gyila (Gwer West State Constituency), Douglass Akya (Makurdi South), Dyako Ashwa (Konshisha State Constituency), and Anthony Agom (Okpokwu State Constituency).
The move has sparked speculation that the suspension may be linked to the internal crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
In addition to the suspensions, the House also confirmed nominees for the Local Government Caretaker Committee proposed by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The speaker, Mr. Aondona Dajoh, conducted a voice vote, confirming 21 of the nominees, while rejecting two others nominated for Agatu and Oju Local Government Areas.
The Assembly has adjourned its session to address and resume normal legislative business on December 5, 2023.
