Benue State Assembly Recommends Suspension of LG Chairman Over Alleged Misconduct

The Benue State House of Assembly has recommended the immediate suspension of Local Government (LG) Chairman Hon. Maxwell Ogiri, who currently heads the Otukpo Local Government Area over allegations of serious misconduct, sparking political tension and renewed calls for accountability at the grassroots level.

The decision to recommend his suspension was reached after a closed-door session where a report detailing the alleged infractions was submitted by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

According to the lawmakers, the allegations include misuse of public funds, abuse of office, and a breakdown of administrative processes within the affected local government.

The Assembly noted that the suspension is necessary to allow for an impartial investigation and to prevent possible interference with ongoing inquiries.

Speaker of the House, Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh, stated that the Assembly will not tolerate any act that undermines public trust and governance at the local level. “Public office is a trust, and any abuse of that trust must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” he said.

This move aligns with ongoing efforts by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to promote transparency, discipline, and development across all tiers of government in the state.

The Benue public and civil society organizations have expressed mixed reactions to the suspension recommendation, with some hailing it as a bold step toward accountability, while others called for fairness and due process.