By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
About 21 days after the emergence of Hon. Alfred Emberga as new Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, new principal officers have been appointed to run the Assembly’s affairs.
Moving the motion to effect changes in the Assembly leadership, on Thursday, on the floor of the Assembly, which was presided over by the Speaker, the former Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South), stressed the need to change the principal officers.
Hon. Akya, in his submission, pointed out that since he is from the same Local Government Area (LGA) as the Speaker, it would not be morally right for him to continue to function as Deputy Majority Leader.
According to the lawmaker, it was therefore, morally right for him to step aside and allow the Assembly appoint another lawmaker from a different area to occupy the position of Deputy Majority Leader.
The legislator explained further that it was the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker that were elected but every other principal officers were appointed and so should be sacked.
Hon. Cyril Ikong (APC/Oju), while seconding the motion, noted that the motion was apt.
In his ruling, the Speaker put the motion to vote and members voted unanimously that the officers appointed into various offices –from the Majority Leader to the Deputy Minority Whip —step down and new persons appointed to man the various offices.
The Speaker in compliance, announced Hon. Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) as new Majority Leader to replace Hon. Saater Tiseer (APC/Mbagwa, Ushongo), Hon. Abraham Jabi (APC /Buruku) as the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Cyril Ikong (APC/Oju) as Majority Chief Whip and Mr Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) as the Deputy Chief Whip.
Other principal officers appointed were Hon. Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa) as Minority Leader, Hon. Cephas Dyako (LP/Konshisha) as Deputy Minority Leader, while Hon. Samuel Jiji (PDP/Logo) is to serve as Minority Chief Whip with Hon. Moses Egbodo (PDP/Obi) as Deputy Minority Whip.
PHOTO CAPTION: Speaker Emberga.
