Gov Alia sacks BSIEC chairman

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has sacked the chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, Dr John Chen.

He was removed for lack of competence following a resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly.

The adoption of the resolution was taken by the House on Thursday during a plenary presided by the Speaker, Chief Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.

The resolution followed a debate on the report of the House Standing Committee on Rules and Business on its fact-finding interaction with officials of the BSIEC on the activities of the commission, including the creation of council wards and forthcoming local government elections.

The House also called on the state government to employ more staff to beef up the existing workforce and provide official and operational vehicles to the commission, as well as build a modern office accommodation for the staff of the Commission.

Earlier in a lead debate, Chairman of the House standing committee on Rules and Business and the majority leader of the House, Comr. Saater Tiseer, while presenting findings of the committee, explained that the commission has shortage of workforce, lack of official and operational vehicles, poor access road to the Commission’s headquarters, underdeveloped ICT unit, among others.

Reacting to recommendation for the removal of chairman of the commission, member representing Makurdi North State Constituency, Hon. Alfred Emberga, supported his removal, adding that his incompetence, lack of sincerity and integrity has led to negative thoughts about the revered Commission.

Berger noted that if the chairman is allowed to remain in office, he will tarnish the image of the commission.

He urged members to support his immediate removal from office in order to save the commission from further collapse.

Also during plenary, the House received the report of its committee on Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change on its oversight visit to the ministry which was presented by the committee chairman, Samuel Agada of Ogbadibo State Constituency.

It was referred to the committee on Rules and Business for debate on a later date.

In a quick reaction, Governor Alia accepted the resolutions of the assembly for the immediate sack of the BSIEC Chairman.

This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula.

Sir Kula acknowledged receipt of the resolution by the governor which included among others: that the chairman of the Commission, Dr. John Chen should be removed from the office.

He said the Assembly accused the BSIEC chairman of lacking good judgement as to which decision will appeal to the greater majority of all stakeholders, and that his actions so far in office fell short of the public interest.

“Governor Alia has accepted the resolutions and directed the Chairman of the commission to immediately hand over to the Administrative secretary of the commission,” Kula said.