Gov Alia’s 11 days on the saddle

Barely 11 days into the life of the new administration in Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has stirred the hornet’s next with emergence of State Assembly Speaker of his choice and mass sack of workers, writes UCHE NNOROM.
Just eleven days on the saddle, Benue State is already witnessing some dramas that have sent tongues wagging. Governor Hyacinth Alia seems to be braving the odds and calling the bluff of certain power blocs to assert his authority as Chief Executive of the State.
On Monday 5th June, 2023, one of such events unfolded in the election of the Speaker of the State Assembly.
Prior to the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, there had been speculations, claims and horse trading about the candidacy of Mrs. Becky Orpin as the likely person to emerge as Speaker. Mrs. Orpin it was said, had the strong backing of leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Benue State Sen. George Akume who only recently was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Leaning on that support, the Party hierarchy headed by Comrade Austin Agada who is Akume’s protege, conveyed a stakeholders meeting at the party Secretariat on Sunday 4th June,2023. The meeting which was attended by the new Chief of Staff to Governor Alia, Paul Biam,Chief Press Secretary Kula Tersoo, past speakers of the House including Terhemen Tarzoor Nigeria Ambassador to Namibia, David Iorhemba who only recently defected to the APC from the PDP, Steven Tssv who doubles as Vice Chairman of the party, as well as selected past Assembly members from the three (3) Senatorial zones and members of the present Assembly.
During the meeting which lasted till almost midnight, Agada spoke in harsh tone threatening fire and brimestone to the new members on dangers of opposing the choice of the party. He warned them sternly against hobnobbing with the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP to do otherwise. Agada reminded the members that the party and its leader had sacrificed so much for them to emerge and any plot to go against the decision of the party, may spell doom for them.
At the end of the meeting, a strong worded resolution was reached interalia:
The State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), today 4th June, 2023 at a Stakeholders meeting held at the Party Secretariat in Makurdi in consultation with party leaders and stakeholders on Zoning arrangement.
The State Working Committee noted with respect to the outcome of the meeting which has zoned the office of the Speaker of the 10th Benue Assembly to Zone B and Chief Hon. Mrs Beckie Torkwase Orpin (Gboko-East) was chosen as the party consensus candidate for speaker.
We urge our party leaders, members and the people of Benue State to continue to support our party in this period of transition, bearing in mind that it is for the good of the good people of the State.
However, on the day of inauguration of the House and election of the Speaker, there was twist of event. It was learnt that Governor Alia had held meeting in Government House with 18 members loyal to him and afterward, proceeded to the House complex.
Inaugurating the House, Governor, charged the new legislators to collaborate with the Executive arm of government in order to deliver the much expected dividends of democracy to the Benue people.
The governor however, assured the lawmakers of his administration’s support at all times and solicited for constructive engagements and support from the legislature and judicial arms of government to enable them actualize set goals.
He urged the new legislators to be exemplary in their conducts, stressing that the Benue society has placed so much expectations on them, hence the need to deliver on their mandate.
According to the Governor, “The legislature not only give the people a voice in affairs of government, but provides the bedrock for the rule of law, equity and justice to reign in the polity.
“Due to the big role the legislature play side by side with the judiciary and the Executive arm of government, we are fully prepared to respect the sanctity of the doctrine of the separation of powers under a democracy.”
Alia, who pledged not to interfere with the internal affairs of the legislature especially in the election of its leaders, said “We are prepared to meaningfully work with those who you choose to lead the house.”
He however, advised members to choose from among themselves those that they will always be proud of their leadership qualities, adding “We will support the house with the training and retraining of staff of members of the House.”
He pledged that the Executive arm of government will work in harmony with the legislature and the judiciary to ensure effective service delivery to the people who are expecting so much from them.
Then the stage was set for the real deal as the Governor sat back comfortably to witness the event. The first ballot shocked everyone including the Governor who thought it was going to be an easy go for his team. But the Governor’s favored candidate and namesake Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh and the SGF and party candidate Becky Orpin tied on 16 votes necessitating a second voting.
A break was declared by clerk of the House Nule Igbawese for lobbying and negotiations by members of the House. Note that the Benue Assembly is composed of 32 members with APC having the majority of 22, PDP 9 and Labor party,LP 1.
After over 2 hours of break, the house reconvened as the clerk asked everyone inside the gallery except the media to vacate. Then came the moment of heightened anger and acrimony amongst the members when the clerk announced that voting woulld be by direct mode. The house became rowdy with members involved in a shouting match even attempting to engage in fisticuff. Later, the secret ballot mode was adopted and members voted.
At end Dajoh representing Gboko West State Constituency polled 17 votes to beat his closest rival Becky Orpin who represents Gboko East State Constituency who scored 15 and emerge as Speaker while Mrs. Danladi Lami representing Ado State Constituency who had nominated the speaker emerged as Deputy Speaker.
Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, it was, learnt that the State Chairmam of APC Austin Agada was involved in a fisticuff with the Chief of Staff to the Governor Paul Biam at the Assembly complex.
Paul and Agada only recently before the elevation of the former to the position of Chief Staff to the Governor were executive members of the APC, with Paul serving as Secretary.
By installing a speaker of his choice, Governor Alia has asserted his authority as captain of the ship and avoided what happened to Immediate past Governor of the State Samuel Ortom when in 2015, a speaker Terkimbi Ikyange was imposed on him and there was attempt to impeach though he smartly averted it.
Many political analysts have viewed this recent development as interesting. They hailed Governor Alia for his action, maintaining the State has experienced underdevelopment because of influence of godfather. They believe that the Governor has not only demonstrated bravery but, given an indication and sent a signal that he is interested in walking his talk to develop the State.
Little wonder, he also, announced the sack of all categories of workers including those on contract engaged by his predeccesor Ortom that caught the ire of the opposition party PDP that described the action as unlawful, callous and insensitive, demanding for a reversal of the directive.
The question on the lips of Benue residents is, “will the Governor continue in this stride? Only time will tell.