The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday sacked three local goverment councils caretaker chairmen for alleged gross misconduct, embezzlement of the councils’ revenues and indulging in unwholesome activities unbefitting of their offices.
Daily Trust reports that the affected chairmen include Tervershima Abraham Agber of Gboko LGA, Reverend Gideon Haanongon of Ukum LGA and Francis Zazan of Katsina-Ala LGA.
The sacking of the trio followed a letter from Governor Hyacinth Alia and presented on the floor of the Assembly which prompted the Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, to seek the approval of the House. The lawmakers unanimously responded in the affirmative.
The affected chairmen were therefore sacked and asked to immediately hand over to their deputies while the House went ahead to confirm the names of nominees brought before the floor by Governor Alia for their replacements.
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The House therefore confirmed Verlumun Avar for Gboko council and Victor Iorzaa for Ukum LGA as well as Justin Shaku for Katsina Ala council respectively.
Recall that Governor Alia appointed caretaker chairmen into all 23 local government councils of the state on November 30, 2023.
The trio had spent only two months in office before they were ousted. During the period, the sacked Ukum chairman, Haanongon, was kidnapped and spent 10 days in captivity.
Reacting to his sack, Haanongon, told our correspondent on the telephone that he was surprised to see the development trending on Facebook.
He said, “I was not given any fair hearing. I’m just seeing it on Facebook and I’m surprised that if the goverment is actually for the people or if the House of Assembly is actually deliberating good issues for the people of the state. What have I done and why should they say I have been relieved of the appointment?
“Should they not call me for fair hearing? Those are my questions. But I have not been communicated. I know that if something like that happens, I’m working under the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs so the Bureau would communicate me. I have not heard anything from the Bureau so maybe they will give me the information.”
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