Gov Alia plotted my removal over Tor Tiv Palace relocation refusal – Ex-Benue Speaker

Former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, has accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of masterminding his removal from office after he allegedly opposed a proposal to move the Tor Tiv Palace from Gboko, the traditional seat of the Tiv nation, to Ihugh, the governor’s hometown in Vandeikya Local Government Area.

Dajoh made the claims during activities marking his 50th birthday celebration held at Akpagher Mbatiav in Gboko LGA, where he addressed political allies, traditional rulers, family members and supporters.

According to the former Speaker, his refusal to endorse the relocation of the revered traditional institution created a rift between him and the governor, ultimately resulting in his exit from office.

“Governor Alia sent a letter to me directing that I should relocate the Tor Tiv Palace from Gboko to his community, Ihugh. I rejected the idea. I told him that he wanted to kill me. This was one of my biggest offences,” Dajoh alleged.

He further claimed that some key figures within the governor’s inner circle warned him that rejecting the proposal would cost him his position as Speaker.

“When I rejected the idea of moving the Tor Tiv Palace to the governor’s hometown, Moses Ternenge, one of the two most powerful men around Governor Alia, told me that if I rejected the proposal, I should consider that as the end of my speakership,” he alleged.

Dajoh also accused the governor of allegedly spending more than N200 million in a failed effort to remove the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

The former Speaker further criticised Governor Alia’s relationship with the Jemgbagh people, recalling comments he said the governor made during a political gathering in the area ahead of the 2023 elections.

“It was on this soil that Alia stood and said anybody who oppresses the Jemgbagh people will be inflicted with madness. But Alia has oppressed Tor Jemgbagh, Ter Gboko, taken the Jemgbagh Speaker to another zone and oppressed their sons, so he has been inflicted with madness,” Dajoh said.

Responding to the allegations, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, dismissed the claims as false and lacking any factual basis.

Kula described the accusations as “a cocktail of conspiracy theories, unfounded accusations, outright falsehoods and reckless claims,” insisting that no communication requesting the relocation of the Tor Tiv Palace was ever sent by the governor.

“The claim that Governor Hyacinth Alia wrote to him as Speaker asking him to relocate the Palace of the Tor Tiv from Gboko to Ihugh is entirely false, baseless and imaginary,” Kula said.

He challenged Dajoh to publicly produce the alleged letter, noting that any official correspondence from the executive arm to the legislature would have gone through established legislative procedures.

Kula also maintained that the Benue State House of Assembly does not possess the constitutional authority to relocate the headquarters of a traditional institution such as the Tor Tiv Palace.

Addressing the allegation that N200 million was spent in an attempt to remove the Chief Judge, the governor’s spokesman urged Dajoh to provide evidence of the claim, including details of the purported transaction and beneficiaries.

“The people of Benue deserve facts, not fiction; evidence, not emotions; and accountability, not political theatre,” he stated.

Kula further defended the administration’s execution of the Wurukum–Renewed Hope Estate road project, explaining that it involves the reconstruction of a federal highway approved by the Federal Government and includes a dual carriageway as well as a five-span bridge over River Mu.

He added that Governor Alia had remained transparent in governance and advised the former Speaker to focus on the circumstances surrounding his departure from office instead of engaging in what he termed political grandstanding.

Dajoh resigned as Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly on August 24, 2025, a development that came barely 48 hours after four lawmakers were suspended for three months over an alleged plot to disrupt proceedings in the House.

In the resignation letter, which was handwritten and signed by him, Dajoh did not state any reason for stepping down, saying only that the decision was taken in good faith and in the interest of the state.

“I write to resign my position as the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly effective today, 24 August, 2025.

“This is done in good faith and in the interest of the state. I pledge to remain committed to my duties as a legislator and representative of Gboko West State Constituency,” the letter read in part.

His resignation was accepted during an emergency sitting of the Assembly on the same day, paving the way for Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, representing Makurdi North State Constituency, to emerge as the new Speaker.