Benue Assembly in turmoil over election of new speaker

The Benue State House of Assembly was on Monday thrown into momentary turmoil over election of a new speaker of the House.
Governor Hyacinth Alia had inaugurated the Benue State House of Assembly, thereafter, the 32 lawmakers proceeded to elect a speaker and deputy speaker for the state legislature.
Following the zoning of speaker to Gboko Local Government Area, Benue North-West, since Governor Alia is from Vandeikya Local Government Area, Benue North-East, and the Deputy Governor from Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue South Senatorial District, two candidates contested for the speaker of the House, namely, Becky Orpine, representing Gboko East, and Aondonna Hyacinth Dajo, representing Gboko West.

Loyalists of George Akume in the APC had nominated Orpine, a female lawmaker, who was supported by the APC State Working Committee.
Governor Alia and his loyalists in the APC, were said to have nominated Dajo.
It was gathered that after the first ballot, both candidates had 16 votes each from the 32 lawmakers. The Clerk of the House had to call for second ballot.

After a brief break, there was pandemonium in the House when the legislators began the second voting. Members, both from the Akume and Governor Alia camps, were said to be shouting at one another, raising allegations of plot by some legislators to lobby other members to vote for a particular candidate.
Some called for cancellation of the second voting, citing alleged influence on the voting process.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, inaugurating the 10th Benue State House of Assembly, promised that the state executive under his leadership shall not interfere in the internal affairs of the state Assembly. He assured of adherence to the doctrine of separation of powers, willing to work in harmony with the state legislature and the judicial arm of government for the realization of the new Benue policy of his administration.

* Channels Television