Berger Elected Benue Assembly Speaker After Dajoh’s Resignation

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Benue State House of Assembly has elected Hon. Alfred Berger as its new Speaker, replacing Hon. Aondona Dajoh, who resigned on Sunday.

Berger, who represents Makurdi North Constituency, emerged during an emergency plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lami Ogenyi. Lawmakers unanimously lifted his suspension—along with that of three colleagues—clearing the way for his election.

Moments after taking the oath of office, Berger pledged to unify the chamber and strengthen collaboration with Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“This is a call to service and a renewed responsibility to lead with fairness, inclusivity, and transparency,” he declared. “Our task now is to stabilise the House, heal divisions, and deliver on our legislative mandate.”

The leadership shake-up followed Dajoh’s resignation in a letter dated August 24, 2025, where he described his decision as one made “in good faith and in the best interest of the state.” He promised to continue serving his Gboko West Constituency.

Berger, a former spokesperson of the Assembly, struck a conciliatory tone, stressing that past disputes were part of legislative politics.
“I hold no grudges. The task before us now is to unite, legislate effectively, and support policies that benefit our people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula, dismissed speculations linking him to the leadership change, insisting the process was entirely internal to the Assembly.