Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue State, published the list of proposed commissioners, special advisers, and special assistants on Tuesday.
Recall how the state’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party charged the governor with violating the constitution by failing to submit the names of his nominees for commissioners to the state parliament within the allotted 60 days.
According to Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (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.
By way of its media secretary, Daniel Ihomun, the ruling All Progressive Congress rejected the opposition party’s assertion and asserted that the governor met the requirement for submitting the names of prospective commissioner nominees to the assembly by the deadline.
The names of the 17 commissioner nominees the governor submitted to the state parliament have finally been made public by his chief press secretary, Kula Tersoo.
In a statement published on his verified Facebook page, the Speaker’s press secretary, Raphael Akume, also acknowledged the names of the 17 commissioners who had been sent to the assembly.
Akume stated, “Today (Tuesday) at plenary, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh presented a letter from the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, relaying three additional names for commissioners nominations.
According to him, the house will start reviewing commissioner nominees on Thursday, August 10, at 10 a.m.
The statement from the governor’s aide listed 24 Special Assistants, 17 Special Advisers, and 17 Commissioner nominations.
Dr. Yanmar M. Ortese – Guma, Rev. Dr. Frederick Ikyaan – Gwer-West, Ugwu Odoh – Ogbadibo, Kwaghba Amande – Katsina-Ala, Matthew Aboh – Ukum, Tiza – Imojime Buruku, and Aondowase Kunde – Konshisha are among the nominees for commissioner on the list.
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 are some of the others.
Arc. Eric Adikwu, Alex Adingi, Dr. Kaalu Akerkpev, Terngu Gwanger, Mercy Nyamkyume, Dr. Aondona Mkor, Joe Har, Denis Akura, and Benedict Akombo are the names of the Special Advisers.
Others include Scholastica T. Awuhe Ben-Sor, Mark Ochoga, Iyoo Gbondo, Prince Ugese Orshi, Sam Yua, Yusuf Suleiman Elaigwu, and Fidelis Unongo.
David Sixtus Agbanyi, Simeon Yongo, Julie Obeta, Jonathan Lahave, Idris Ojigbiri, Zipporah Adzege, Michael Mfater Kaha (El-Stuffy, Sunday Shizum, and Dennis Umbur are the Special Assistants.
Others include Richard Dzugweve, Tertseagh Afere, Apeku Marshall, Member Achihi Dekera, Chief Isaac Edo Onwu, Akaa Manasseh, Linda Ene Agada, Dorcas Faerem, Harris Tersoo, and Linda Ene Agada.
They include Francis S. Emeor, Sunday Ekas, Paul Vershima Ishom, Stone Eje Eyikwaje, Christiana Sana, and others.
