Ado indigenes urge probe of Benue Deputy Speaker
By Julius Alabi
Indigenes of Ado Local Government Area in Benue State, operating under the platform of the Concerned Ado Elites in Lagos, have called for the suspension of the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mrs Lami Danladi Ogenyi, pending investigations into various issues they claim are generating tension in the local government.
The group led by its national president, Mr John Onazi in a press statement urged the House of Assembly to examine what they described as “a pattern of actions and petitions” by the Deputy Speaker which, according to them, has contributed to prolonged political disputes within Ado LGA.
The group alleged that Mrs Danladi’s petitions to state institutions had repeatedly created controversy in the area and strained relations between her office and the executive chairman of Ado LGA, Mr Oche Sunday Oche.
They cited previous exchanges between both officials, including petition-and-counter-petition episodes, as reasons for their call for legislative scrutiny.
According to the Concerned Ado Elites, some of the claims contained in petitions submitted to the House of Assembly, the Nigeria Police, and other agencies had been contested by different parties in Ado, thereby necessitating what they describe as an “independent and transparent review” by the legislature.
The group further referenced past disputes involving members of the Assembly, internal party disagreements, and other political frictions within the local government, which they believe require formal clarification to prevent misinformation and restore public confidence.
They also appealed to the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Berger Alfred, to examine the broader impact of the prolonged political tensions on the image of the Assembly and the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
During the briefing, the group urged the State Government to assess various reports and allegations circulating in the public space regarding the management of local government affairs, including revenue administration, political loyalty conflicts, and the handling of inter-community relations stressing that such issues should be evaluated strictly based on verifiable evidence.
The Concerned Ado Elites also asked that ongoing legal disputes involving officials in the area be reviewed to ensure that litigation is not used as a tool for political pressure.
The group therefore appealed to the House of Assembly to look into concerns raised by community members about project funding, public communication, and the general welfare of Ado residents maintaining that a formal inquiry would help stabilise governance at the local level and ensure accountability for all elected officials.
