From Joseph Uchenna, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly on Thursday appointed new principal officers to run its affairs.
This development comes barely three weeks after the House elected Alfred Emberga as its new Speaker
The motion to effect changes in the principal officers was moved by the former Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South), during the House plenary presided over by the Speaker Alfred Emberga.
In his submission, Akya pointed out that since he is from the same local government as the Speaker, it would be morally wrong for him to continue to function as the Deputy Majority Leader of the house.
He said that it was morally right for him to step aside and allow the house to appoint another member to step in as the Deputy Majority Leader.
The former Deputy Majority Leader further said that apart from the speaker and the Deputy Speaker that were elected, every other principal officer that was appointed should be dissolved.
His motion was seconded by Mr Cyril Ikong (APC/Oju), who noted that the motion was apt.
Ruling, the Speakerput the motion to vote and members were unanimous that the officers that were appointed into various offices ranging from the Majority Leader down to the Deputy Minority Whip should be dissolved and new persons appointed to man the offices.
The Speaker then announced Pharm. Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) as the new Majority Leader to replace Saater Tiseer (APC/Mbagwa, Ushongo), Dr Abraham Jabi (APC /Buruku) as the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Cyril Ikong (APC/Oju) as Majority Chief Whip and Mr Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) as the Deputy Chief Whip.
Others include, Mr Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa) as the Minority Leader, Mr Cephas Dyako (LP/Konshisha) as the Deputy Minority Leader, while
Mr Samuel Jiji (PDP/Logo) is to serve as the Minority Chief Whip and Mr Moses Egbodo (PDP/Obi) as Deputy Minority Whip.
