It takes an intelligent liar to fabricate tales that can at least bear the semblance of a verifiable story.
Unfortunately, it is now clear that the former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh is not an intelligent fabricator.
During his 50th birthday celebration in Mbatiav, Gboko Local Government Area yesterday, Dajoh made desperate attempts to blame his resignation from office on His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
What Dajoh presented at Mbatiav could best be described as
a cocktail of conspiracy theories, unfounded accusations, outright falsehoods and reckless claims.
As one who once occupied the position of number three citizen in the state, one would ordinarily, have expected Dajoh to conduct himself with restraint, dignity and responsibility.
Unfortunately, he chose the occasion of his birthday celebration not for gratitude and reflection, but for political bitterness, vendetta and apparent attempt to manipulate public opinion.
His allegations are not only false and misleading, but they also expose troubling questions about his stewardship as Speaker and his understanding of the constitutional powers and limitations of the Benue State House of Assembly.
To start with, the claim that Governor Hyacinth Alia wrote to him (as Speaker) asking him to relocate the Palace of the Tor Tiv from Gboko to Ihugh is entirely blatant falsehood, baseless and imaginary.
We demand to know why such a correspondent from the Executive was not read on the floor of the House as procedure demands. Benue State House of Assembly was not Dajoh ‘s private establishment, any such letter sent to the Assembly from the Executive cannot be turned down by the fiat of a Speaker. So, we challenge Dajoh to make public the letter he alleged the Governor sent to him to relocate the Tor Tiv Palace to Ihugh.
We find it necessary to further expose the inconsistencies and falsehoods contained in the former Speaker’s tales.
At least, having served as Speaker, Dajo ought to know that the Benue State House of Assembly lacks constitutional authority to relocate the headquarters of a traditional institution such as the Tor Tiv Palace.
Another tale is Dajoh’s claim that he was given N200 million to remove the Chief Judge of the state.
Consequently, Dajoh now owes Benue people a clear explanation on where he took the money to, and who were the beneficiaries of the “bribe” money?
The people of Benue deserve facts, not fiction; evidence, not emotions; and accountability, not political theatre.
The former Speaker appears determined to portray himself as a victim while refusing to reflect on the circumstances that led to his resignation.
Dajoh further tried to make a straw man out of Gov. Alia when he claimed the Governor lied over the Wurukum – Renewed Hope Estate (Angbaaye village) road contract.
Governor Alia has been very transparent in all his dealings with the people of Benue State.
In the first instance, the contract in question is not Wurukum – Airforce Base, but Wurukum – Renewed Hope Estate located after Angbaaye village, few kilometres to Abinsi.
This is a federal highway and it is to be constructed with specific standards for federal highways which is stone-based as approved by the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Governor Alia sought and got approval from the federal government to undertake the reconstruction of the road for the good of the people of the state. It is no longer a single lane road but dual carriage up to Angbaaye. The distance when combined is over 40km. It also includes a five-span bridge at River Mu.
Dajoh needs to be told that history will remember leaders for their service, integrity and commitment to the public good, not for miserable attempts to pontificate or grandstand after leaving office.
Sir Tersoo Kula, mnipr
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State.
