Amid controversy surrounding the appointment of caretaker committees by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, the state assembly has confirmed the nominees.
This confirmation comes despite the Senate’s call on the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations to local councils not democratically elected nationwide.
The Senate’s resolution followed a motion titled “Urgent need to Halt the Erosion of Democracy and Dissolution of Elected councils in Benue State,” sponsored by Senator Abba Moro during Friday’s plenary.
Moro emphasised that using caretaker committees to replace elected councils goes against the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The Senate urged the Governor of Benue State to review the dissolution of the councils, the constitution of caretaker committees, and reinstate the elected officials.
However, in defiance of this order, the Benue State Assembly has confirmed 21 out of the 23 nominees.
Nominees from Oju and Obi were, however, stepped down. Further updates are expected on this matter.
