From Lateef Taiwo
Speaker Benue State House of Assembly Mr Aondona Dajo has confirmed receipt of 17 number commissioner nominees sent to it by governor Hyacinth Alia for screening and confirmation.
Speaking to journalists after Tuesdays plenary in Makurdi,the speaker said governor Alia has also increased the list of commissioner nominees of 14 which he had earlier sent to the Assembly by three names making the list 17.
He gave the names of the commissioner nominees to include Mrs Joyce Luga- Gboko,Dr Yanmar Ortese- Guma,Barr Omale Omale- Apa,Rev.Frederic Kyaan- Gwer West,Igwu Odoh- Ogbadibo, Kwaghgba Amande- Katsina-ala, Mathew Aboh- Ukum,Tiza Imojime- Buruku, Aondowase Kunde- Konshisha and Prof Moses Ogbaji- Oju.
Others who made the list the speaker said are Barr Martin Shaager- Ushongo, Michael Oglegba- Otukpo,Barr Fidelis Mnyim- Makurdi,Alumo Orpin- Tarka,Nick Eworo- Obi and Terkimbi Ikyange- Ushongo respectively.
This development has put to rest criticisms mostly from the opposition the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which alleged in a press statement that governor Alia has suspended constitutional rule in the state and is running government under his watch as a dictatorship.
Bemgba Iortyom the PDP spokesperson in Benue State recently in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi, alleged that governor Alia has awarded contracts worth billions of naira without following due process.
He also insinuated that the governor has not forwarded names of nominees for appointment into a cabinet as commissioner’s or advisers contrary to section 147 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, describing the act as gross violation.
Mr Dajo further disclosed that screening of the commissioner nominees would commence tomorrow and appealed for patience amongst members of the public.
In a related development, governor Alia has also approved the appointment of 17 special advisers and 24 special assistants.
Alia in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr Tersoo Kula gave names of the special advisers to include Eric Adokwu, Alex Adingi, Kaalu Akerkpev, Terngu Gwanger, Mercy Nyamkume, Aondona Mkor, Joe Har, Denis Akura, Benedict Akombo, Fidelis Unongo, Ugese Orshi, Sam Yua, Mark Ochoga, Peter Ogilagwu, Yusuf Suleiman and Scholastica Awuhe respectively.
The statement equally named special assistants to include Simeon Yongo, Julie Obeta, Jonathan Lahave, Idris Ojigbiri, Zipporah Adzege, Sixtus Agbanyi, Michael Kaha, Sunday Shizum, Denis Umbur, Harris Tersoo, Linda Agada, Dorcas Faeren, Member Achihi, Isaac Odo, Akaa Manaseh, Ordue Uyoo, Tertsea Afere, Apeku Marshall, Richard Dzungweve, Christiana Sana, Stone Eje and Francis Emeor respectively.
Governor Alia in the statement assured the people that additional names of other advisers and appointee’s shall be announced in due course and called for patience.
