After removal, Benue assembly suspends ex-speaker for six months

Terkimbi Ikyange, former speaker, Benue state house of assembly, has been suspended for six months.

Ikyange’s suspension comes three days after he was removed by the assembly.

The house directed him to handover all official property to the clerk within 24 hours.

At plenary on Tuesday, Richard Ujege, lawmaker representing Konshisha state constituency, moved a motion of no confidence on the speaker who was absent.

The motion was supported by 21 members out of the 30 lawmakers in the house.

Also removed were James Okefe, deputy speaker and Benjamin Adanyi, majority leader, for alleged abuse of office and high-handedness.

Titus Ubah , the former chief whip, was elected as the new speaker, while Johnson Egli Ahubi was elected deputy speaker. Avine Agbum, representing Makurdi south, emerged majority leader.

On July 10, security operatives were drafted to the premises of assembly over alleged plot by members to remove the speaker but Ikyange dismissed it as a rumour and “handiwork of external influence in town”.

However, 22 members converged for an emergency meeting where the speaker and other principal officers were replaced.