Benue Assembly moves to remove BSIEC Chairman

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

Benue State House of assembly has initiated moves to remove the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Doctor John Chen from office.

The House made the recommendation during Thursday’s plenary presided by the Honourable Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly  Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.

 The recommendation followed a debate on the report of the house standing committee on Rules and Business on it facts finding interaction with officials  of BSIEC on the activities of the commission including the creation of council wards and forthcoming local government elections.

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

Earlier in a lead debate, chairman house standing committee on Rules and Business and the majority leader of the House,  Hon. 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 and 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 representing Makurdi North supported his removal, added that  his  actions has generated tension across the State.

On his part,  member representing Kwande west constituency Mr Thomas Dugeri advised the house to temper justice with mercy and give the chairman  a second chance for the stability of BSIEC.