The embattled Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dojah has resigned, amid political tension in the state.
Dajoh’s resignation was contained in a letter he personally signed on his personal official letterhead dated August 24, 2025, and addressed to the Clerk of the House.
The letter stated: “I write to resign my position as the Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly, effective today, August 24, 2025. This is done in good faith and in the best interest of the state. I want to appreciate my dear colleagues for the opportunity they gave me to be the first among equals,” the letter read in part.
Sources told The Atlantic Bell that the Speaker had recently survived an impeachment attempt which led to the suspension of three lawmakers.
The decision to suspend the lawmakers was taken during plenary at the Assembly Complex in Makurdi, following deliberations on what was described as “gross misconduct and acts capable of destabilising the House.”
The suspended lawmakers were accused of conspiring to remove the Speaker through an impeachment move deemed unlawful and against the standing rules of the Assembly.
Presiding over the sitting prior to his resignation on Sunday, the Speaker had warned that the Assembly would not tolerate actions aimed at undermining its stability, stressing that discipline must be upheld to protect the integrity of the legislature.
But in spite his resignation as Speaker, Dojah pledged his continued dedication to legislative duties, stating, “I pledge to remain committed to my duties as a legislator and representative of Gboko West State Constituency.”
The Atlantic Bell learnt that the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia and his loyalists were in a closed-door meeting to choose a replacement, while heavily armed soldiers from the 72 Special Battalion were deployed across Makurdi to maintain order.
Troops were sighted at key points, including the Tito railway bypass, the Wurukum roundabout, and the commissioner’s quarters, as part of efforts to prevent unrest.
