The Benue State House of Assembly has witnessed a major leadership change as Hon. Alfred Emberga was officially sworn in as the new Speaker of the House. The swearing-in took place on Saturday, August 24, 2025, shortly after the sudden resignation of the former Speaker, Hon. Aondona Dajoh.
Emberga’s emergence as Speaker marks a new chapter for the 10th Benue Assembly, coming just over a year after it was inaugurated. His swearing-in was conducted during a special plenary session at the Assembly complex in Makurdi, the state capital.
The atmosphere in the chamber was calm but tense as members gathered to formally accept Dajoh’s resignation and move forward with electing new leadership. Hon. Alfred Emberga, who represents the Konshisha State Constituency, was nominated and unanimously adopted by the lawmakers as the new Speaker.
His nomination and approval came without resistance, reflecting a consensus among the majority members of the Assembly.
Hon. Aondona Dajoh, who had served as Speaker since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly in June 2023, resigned earlier in the day under circumstances that remain unclear. While no official reason has been given for his resignation at press time, political observers believe internal party disagreements and pressure from influential forces within the state’s political structure may have played a role.
Sources close to the Assembly told our correspondent that there had been ongoing tensions within the House regarding legislative direction and leadership style, which may have led to calls for a change.
Dajoh, who represents the Gboko West constituency, had earlier survived an impeachment attempt in late 2024, but cracks in his leadership reportedly widened in recent months. His decision to step down came as a surprise to many, though some insiders say it had been anticipated by key political players in the state.
The new Speaker, Hon. Alfred Emberga, is an experienced lawmaker known for his calm disposition and legislative skill. Prior to his emergence as Speaker, he served as Chairman of one of the Assembly’s key committees and had been actively involved in lawmaking and oversight duties.
He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state. His appointment is expected to bring stability and a fresh start for the House, especially as the state government continues to navigate various challenges ranging from security to governance.
As the new Speaker settles into office, attention will now turn to how he handles key legislative priorities, including budget matters, oversight of state agencies, and laws affecting security, youth development, and infrastructure.
There is also expectation that Emberga will prioritize reconciliation within the House to prevent further internal conflicts that may disrupt legislative activities.
In the coming days, the House is expected to reorganize its committees and possibly reassign roles to reflect the new leadership.
For now, residents of Benue State and political watchers across the country will be closely monitoring developments in the Assembly to see how the new Speaker steers the affairs of the legislative arm of government.
