By: Ismaeel Aleem
The Benue State House of Assembly on Friday suspended four lawmakers for three months over an alleged secret plot to impeach the Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh.
Those suspended include Terna Shimawua (Kian Constituency), Cyril Ekong (Obi Constituency), Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), and James Umoru (Apa Constituency).
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The Assembly accused them of attempting to destabilise proceedings under Dajoh’s leadership by initiating an unauthorised impeachment plan.
Their suspension was announced during plenary in Makurdi.
House leaders said the actions of the lawmakers violated Assembly rules, particularly by bypassing due process in their impeachment bid.
The suspension bars them from legislative activities for the next six months, a move that has stirred public debate and heightened speculation of deeper political tensions in the state.
This is not the first time such action has been taken.
On August 5, five members—including Shimawua—were suspended for three sittings over alleged tampering with a committee report on misconduct by the Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri.
Political observers suggest the repeated suspensions reflect internal power struggles within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and broader strains between the legislature and the executive.
The decision has also drawn criticism from constitutional experts. Lawyer Terna Tahav argued that suspensions exceeding the 14-day limit stipulated in House rules may be unconstitutional.
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Meanwhile, constituents in the affected areas have raised concerns over reduced representation.
Advocacy groups such as Guardians of Democracy have urged the National Assembly to intervene, warning that the current suspension could impair the Assembly’s ability to form a quorum for legislative business.
