The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended four of its members for three months after accusing them of planning to remove Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh. The Assembly says the move was needed to keep order and stop further trouble inside the chamber.

The suspended lawmakers are Alfred Berger (who represents Makurdi North and was the House spokesman), Cyril Ekong of Oju 2, Abu Umoru of Apa, and Shimawua Terna from Kyan. All four will not take part in Assembly business for the next three months while the suspension is in force.

After the suspension, the House quickly filled key roles. Kennedy Angbo was named Deputy Majority Leader, Douglas Akya became Deputy Chief Whip, and Elias Audu was appointed as the new spokesman of the House. These changes were made to keep the Assembly working smoothly despite the shake-up.

At the same Friday session, the Assembly also began vetting five people nominated to serve as commissioners. Two of the nominees, Ogwu Odeh and Imojime Tiza, were not screened that day and will appear before the Assembly at a later date.

This decision is likely to spark reactions from supporters of the suspended lawmakers and from political watchers across the state.

Some may ask whether the suspension was fair, while others will watch how the new leaders steer the Assembly’s work. For now, the House has taken a firm step to control what it calls an attempt to force out the Speaker.