The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the continued suspension of the immediate past Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and member representing Gboko West State Constituency, Aondona Dajoh, stressing that democracy is under threat in the state.
The PDP described the action as an open display of political persecution, abuse of power and a calculated suppression of opposition voices within the state legislature.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, the PDP recalled that Dajoh was first suspended over allegations of an impeachment plot against Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“Months after that accusation was loudly publicised, the people of Benue State are yet to see any credible evidence to support such a weighty claim.
“Rather than provide proof, the suspension was extended for another six months under yet another allegation, this time, an alleged plot against the new Speaker. Once again, no convincing evidence has been presented to the public up to this moment.
“Now, in what appears to be a disturbing pattern of endless punishment without transparency or fairness, the suspension has reportedly been extended for another three months without any clearly stated reason,” the statement said.
The PDP called on the State Assembly leadership to immediately reconsider Dajoh’s continued suspension and uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and democratic accountability.
Antyo also called on civil society organisations, constitutional advocates and lovers of democracy to closely monitor developments in the Benue State House of Assembly and speak against actions capable of undermining democratic representation and the rule of law.
The statement added: “This has raised serious concerns about the state of democracy and legislative independence in Benue State. A situation where an elected lawmaker can be repeatedly punished on the basis of unproven allegations sends a dangerous message to the public and weakens confidence in democratic institutions.
“Benue PDP believes that what is happening to its candidate for Gboko West State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh, goes beyond ordinary legislative discipline. It increasingly appears to be a deliberate attempt to politically isolate and silence a perceived independent voice within the Assembly.
“Even more unfortunate is the fact that the people of Gboko West Constituency have effectively been denied proper representation in the Benue State House of Assembly for almost one year due to suspensions that have produced accusations without any publicly available proof,” the PDP stated.
Recall that the Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday extended the suspension of former Speaker Aondona Dajoh and former Majority Leader Saater Tiseer by an additional three months pending the determination of separate court cases instituted by them against the legislature or the withdrawal of the suits.
