By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Benue State House of Assembly on has directed the Chairman, Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, to step aside pending the conclusion of investigation into controversies surrounding the ongoing recruitment of primary school teachers in the state.
The House, according to a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Terver Zamber, gave the directive Thursday, during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Chief Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.
It subsequently set up a seven man ad-hoc committee chaired by Hon. Caphas Dyako to investigate the activities of the board and report back to the House within seven days.
Hon Bemdoo Ipusu, representing Katsina-Ala West constituency who moved the motion for Dr Adagba to step aside, informed the House that after the resolution of the House directing the SUBEB chairman to suspend the ongoing recruitment of primary school teachers to allow for investigation in to controversies surrounding the exercise, she still went ahead to release a statement indicating that new cut off marks have been allocated to the CBT conducted by the Board.
Hon. Ipusu further explained that the statement released by the Board is not only reactionary but disparaging of the Assembly and its resolutions.
Contributing, Member representing Makurdi North State Constituency Hon. Alfred Emberga, frowned at the SUBEB Chairman’s attitude, stating that she lacks the integrity to supervise the ongoing recruitment process and should immediately step aside.
The House also directed the Governing Council of Akperan Orshi Polytechnic Yandev to immediately stop the appointment of the registrar, bursar and librarian of the polytechnic until provisions of the law are satisfied.
The chairman and council members of the polytechnic, rector and management of the institution are also summoned to appear before the House on December 27th 2024.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Tarka State Constituency, Hon. Manger Manger, expressing concerns that the appointments were made without satisfying provisions of the law.
Hon. Manger explained that the appointments are illegal and if allowed to stand shall set a bad precedence for the future.
The House also summoned the immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Dennis Akura, to appear before it 27th December, to explain why he diverted N1.783 Billion, funds meant for local government areas for security purposes, thereby compromising the security architecture of the State.
Similarly, the House summoned all DGSAs, treasurers and security officers of various LGs to also appear on the same date to enable the Benue people establish the veracity of the report.
