Benue Assembly Clears Six of Alia’s Commissioner Nominees, Rejects Two Amid Petition Concerns.

Benue Assembly Clears Six of Alia’s Commissioner Nominees, Rejects Two Amid Petition Concerns.

The Benue State House of Assembly has confirmed six of eight commissioner nominees forwarded by Governor Hyacinth Alia, while rejecting two others following petitions and concerns raised during their screening.

The development followed the screening of the nominees at the Assembly complex in Makurdi. The six confirmed nominees are Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, Mrs. Theresa Odachi Ikwue, Dr. Margaret Adamu Ijaguwa, Mr. Denis Iyaighgba and Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche.

The two nominees who failed to secure confirmation were Dr. Timothy Yangien Ornguga and Mr. James Dwem. According to reports, lawmakers considered four petitions concerning Ornguga, a lecturer and law professor, including allegations of victimisation by former students. Questions were also raised about aspects of his academic credentials during the screening.

Dwem, a former chairman of the Makurdi Local Government Area, also faced petitions alleging financial misconduct, including alleged embezzlement and appropriation of local government funds. The allegations were considered during the Assembly’s assessment of his suitability for the cabinet position.

Following the rejection of the two nominees, the Assembly directed Governor Alia to forward replacement candidates for consideration. The decision underscores the legislature’s constitutional role in scrutinising nominees before their appointment to the State Executive Council.

The nominations formed part of Governor Alia’s effort to reconstitute his cabinet after he dissolved the State Executive Council in July 2025. The governor had initially forwarded eight nominees to the Assembly for screening, with his administration describing the process as part of efforts to strengthen governance, service delivery and institutional effectiveness in Benue State.

The initial list included Theresa Odachi Ikwue, Benjamin Ashaver, Margaret Adamu Ijaguwa, Peter Oboh Egbodo, Timothy Yangien Ornguga, Denis Iyaighgba, James Dwem and Paul Ejeh Ogwuche. The governor’s spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, said the administration was committed to transparency, competence and inclusivity in selecting members of the executive council.

The Assembly’s decision places the next step with the governor, who is expected to nominate replacements for the rejected candidates while continuing the process of completing the state cabinet.