The Benue State House of Assembly on Monday suspended its immediate past Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, for three months over allegations that he was plotting the impeachment of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The suspension followed a motion moved by Terna Shimawua, representing Vandeikya II State Constituency, who accused Dajoh of secretly mobilising lawmakers against the Governor. Shimawua alleged that the Gboko West lawmaker convened a meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2025, during which an attendance list was allegedly used as a basis to kick-start impeachment proceedings.
“If this plot had not been averted, it would have plunged Benue State into political crisis, thereby truncating the development efforts of the present administration,” Shimawua said, while urging the House to suspend Dajoh for six months.
The motion was seconded by Abu Umoru (Apa Constituency), who backed disciplinary measures, recalling that the House had previously condemned similar actions.
Ruling on the matter, Speaker Alfred Emberga announced a three-month suspension for the former Speaker.
Dajoh Denies Allegations
In a swift reaction, Dajoh dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. In a statement signed by his media aide, Terver Zamber, the former Speaker described himself as “one of the best-serving leaders of the Assembly” who had always maintained a cordial relationship with Governor Alia.
He noted that under his leadership, the House had only recently passed a vote of confidence in the Governor. “A pertinent question remains: who were the others the former Speaker allegedly conspired with to impeach the Governor, and why is he the only one facing suspension?” the statement queried.
The former Speaker also criticised the sponsor of the motion, Shimawua, pointing out that it was the first time he had spoken in the Assembly since his election.
“While the former Speaker accepts the suspension in good faith, it is clear that this is a political maneuver, orchestrated by non-state actors and executed by certain elements within the Assembly,” the statement read.
Dajoh further urged the public to disregard the “falsehoods” and continue supporting the administration’s progress, insisting that his resignation as Speaker had been for the sake of peace and the state’s best interest.