Benue Assembly to commence screening of commissioner-nominees Thursday

The list of nominees for commissioners, special advisers, and special assistants was made public on Tuesday by Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

Recall that the Peoples Democratic Party, the state’s main opposition party, had accused the governor of violating the constitution by failing to submit the names of his nominees for commissioner to the state parliament within the required 60 days.

According to Section 147 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended by the Fifth Alteration No. 23 of 2023) and a statement made by the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Bemgba Iortyom, the governor of Benue State is legally required to submit the names of candidates for consideration and confirmation as commissioners to be appointed into his cabinet within 60 days of taking the oath of office.

The governor met the deadline for submitting the names of commissioner nominees to the assembly, according to the All Progressive Congress, which denied the opposition party’s assertion through its media secretary, Daniel Ihomun.

The names of the 17 nominations for commissioner that were forwarded to the state parliament have now been made public by the governor through his chief press secretary, Kula Tersoo.

The identities of the 17 commissioners provided to the assembly were also accepted by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Raphael Akume, in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page.

“Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh today (Tuesday) at plenary delivered a letter from the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, conveying three additional names for commissioners nominations,” Akume added.

He stated that on August 10 at 10 am, the house will start reviewing commissioner nominees.

The statement from the governor’s aide listed 24 Special Assistants, 17 Special Advisers, and 17 nominees for Commissioner.

Joyce Luga of Gboko, Barrister Omale Omale Apa, Dr. Yanmar M. Ortese of Guma, Rev. Dr. Frederick Ikyaan of Gwer-West, Ugwu Odoh of Ogbadibo, Kwaghba Amande of Katsina-Ala, Matthew Aboh of Ukum, Tiza of Imojime Buruku, and Aondowase Kunde of Konshisha are the nominees for

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The others are Prof. Jonah Ogbaji – Oju, Martin Shaager – Ushongo, Michael Oglegba – Otukpo, Ann Itodo – Okpokwu, Fidelis Mnyim – Makurdi, Terkimbi Ikyange – Ushongo, Alumo Orpin – Tarka, and Nick Eworo – Obi.

Special advisors include Arc. Eric Adikwu, Alex Adingi, Dr. Kaalu Akerkpev, Terngu Gwanger, Mercy Nyamkyume, Dr. Aondona Mkor, Joe Har, Denis Akura, and Benedict Akombo.

Others are Scholastica T. Awuhe Ben-Sor, Iyoo Gbondo, Prince Ugese Orshi, Sam Yua, Mark Ochoga, Peter Ogilagwu, Yusuf Suleiman Elaigwu, and Fidelis Unongo.

The Special Assistants include Dennis Umbur, Idris Ojigbiri, Sunday Shizum, Zipporah Adzege, Julie Obeta, Jonathan Lahave, Michael Mfater Kaha (El-Stuffy), and Simeon Yongo.

Additionally, there are Richard Dzugweve, Apeku Marshall, Harris Tersoo, Linda Ene Agada, Dorcas Faerem, Member Achihi Dekera, Chief Isaac Edo Onwu, Akaa Manasseh, Ordue Uyoo, Tertseagh Afere, and Linda Ene Agada.

Christiana Sana, Stone Eje Eyikwaje, Paul Vershima Ishom, Sunday Ekas, and Francis S. Emeor are a few among them.