Comrade Daniel Onjeh, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Benue South in the 2023 senatorial elections, has called on the Benue State House of Assembly to overturn its decision to block the screening and confirmation of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commissioner nominees.
In a statement issued Friday, Onjeh described the Assembly’s move as a misuse of legislative authority, urging lawmakers to “reconvene without delay” and fulfil what he termed their constitutional responsibility.
“Screening commissioners is your duty, not a bargaining chip,” Onjeh said. “Legislative oversight isn’t legislative overreach.”
The Assembly, led by Speaker Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, voted on August 8 to decline the governor’s request, following a motion by Hon. Shimapever Jiji, seconded by Hon. Thomas Dugeri. The motion cited the governor’s alleged refusal to comply with previous House resolutions, including the provision of official vehicles to certain members and the enforcement of suspension orders against key state officials. Lawmakers insisted the action was intended to safeguard legislative independence, not disrupt governance.
Onjeh acknowledged the value of oversight but warned against political standoffs that could stall government operations. He argued that many of the Assembly’s grievances were rooted in entitlements rather than constitutional mandates.
“You shouldn’t tarnish the House’s record over selfish or politically motivated influences,” he said, noting that the separation of powers does not make any branch immune from criticism.
Reminding Speaker Dajoh of his earlier political alignment with Governor Alia, Onjeh urged the Assembly to maintain unity and avoid becoming “a new front” for the governor’s opponents. He condemned political interference in local government affairs, citing his own experience in Ogbadibo, where he accepted the outcome despite his preferred candidate’s loss.
Onjeh appealed to APC lawmakers to emulate the cooperative relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, where, he said, party majorities work together to advance governance.
“The Assembly’s demands fall entirely within the governor’s discretion,” he said. “The legislature’s role is to guide, not obstruct.”
He concluded with a call for political harmony: “The Assembly should allow the last two years of Governor Alia’s first term to proceed in peace so he can deliver on his promises. Put Benue first. Governance can’t wait.”
