Political Observers Warn of Governor’s Desperation Following Failed Power Grab
A fresh political storm has erupted in Benue State as 13 members of the State House of Assembly have openly debunked claims of the purported removal of the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese. The development marks yet another embarrassing failure in Governor Hyacinth Alia’s relentless but reckless pursuit of political dominance—a move critics say is rooted in desperation and a failed governance strategy.
With a House of 32 members, the lawmakers revealed that 13 of them voted against the removal, while one member, Hon. Peter Uche (Guma 1 State Constituency), was absent, and the Speaker, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, abstained from voting. The lawmakers emphasized that the purported removal failed to meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority and should be dismissed as a mere political stunt.
A seasoned political observer, who spoke on the crisis, lamented that Governor Alia has continuously attempted to subvert democratic institutions to tighten his grip on power. “This is not the first time we have seen such irrational, authoritarian tendencies. He tried and failed to unseat the state party chairman, and now he is taking the same path with the Chief Judge. It will fail. This reckless power grab is not governance—it is sheer desperation,” the observer noted.
The 13 lawmakers who stood against the unlawful removal include:
Hon. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South)
Hon. Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina-Ala East)
Hon. Pastor Onah Blessed Emmanuel (Oju 1)
Hon. Anyor Mato (Kwande East)
Hon. Elias Audu (Gwer)
Hon. William Ortyom (Agasha)
Hon. Engr. Ezra Nyiyongu (Ukum)
Hon. Mrs. Becky Orpin (Gboko East)
Hon. Gila Solomon (Gwer-West)
Hon. Peter Agada (Ogbadibo)
Hon. Macklintin Manger (Tarka)
Hon. Abraham Zahemen Zabi (Buruku)
Hon. Simon Tor-Gabo (Mata)
The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rule of law and due process, urging the public to ignore the propaganda being peddled regarding the Chief Judge’s removal.
Benue State now finds itself at a crossroads, with an increasingly embattled governor whose ill-advised political maneuvers have continued to backfire. As the state grapples with insecurity, economic hardship, and governance failures, critics argue that Alia’s obsession with consolidating power only worsens the situation, pushing Benue deeper into political turmoil.
The question remains; how many more institutions will the governor attempt to dismantle before his administration collapses under the weight of its own failures?
