The Benue State House of Assembly on Sunday elected the member representing Makurdi North State Constituency, Hon. Alfred Emberga Berger, as its new Speaker following the resignation of the former Speaker and member representing Gboko West State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.
Dajoh’s resignation, which came without explanation, trailed an earlier failed attempt by some members of the House to impeach him. His exit paved the way for an emergency sitting of the tenth Assembly, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mrs Lami Danladi Lawrence.
The sitting was convened after the Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, moved a motion of urgent public importance, urging members to suspend the House rules to address the leadership vacuum.
He also appealed for the recall of the four members suspended during the last sitting, stressing that a divided Assembly could not effectively deliberate on matters of development. The motion was seconded by the member representing Katsina-Ala West Constituency, Hon. Bemdoo Ipusu.
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During the session, member representing Makurdi South, Hon. Douglas Akya, nominated Alfred Berger for the leadership position, with the member representing Apa State Constituency, Hon. Abu Umoru, seconding the nomination. The Clerk of the House, John Hwande, thereafter administered the oath of office to the new Speaker at the Assembly complex.
Speaking shortly after taking the mantle of leadership, Berger expressed gratitude to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to foster cooperation among the three arms of government to attract dividends of democracy.
He urged members of the House to work together in unity to uphold the dignity of the Assembly and deliver on their mandate.
