•Alfred Emberger

Benue State House of Assembly on Sunday elected Alfred Emberger as its new speaker.

This followed the resignation of the former speaker Aondona Dajoh.

Dajoh’s resignation is contained in a letter dated August 24, 2025, and titled “Resignation as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly.”

Dajoh said his decision was made in good faith and in the interest of the state.

Dajoh, who represents Gboko West State Constituency, pledged to continue serving as a legislato

The appointment of the new speaker came shortly after the resignation of the former speaker

The new speaker is one of the four members suspended last Friday for attempting to remove the former speaker.

At the plenary session held on Sunday and presided over by the deputy speaker, Lami Danaldi-Ogenyi, the house resolved to lift the suspension on the four members.

The majority leader, Saater Tiseer, who said that the plenary was an emergency one, moved a motion for the lifting of the suspension on the four members and was seconded by Samuel Jiji of Logo state constituency.

The deputy speaker said, “Following the motion raised by the majority leader and supported by members of the house, this house has resolved to lift the suspension of the four members.”

After lifting the suspension, the four members were ushered into the chamber, and the nomination of the new speaker was announced.

A member representing the Makurdi South state constituency, Douglas Akyaa, moved a motion and nominated Emberger for the position of new speaker, seconded by Abu Umoru of the Apa state constituency.

While there was no other nomination, the new speaker took the oath of office administered by the Clerk of the house, John Hwande.

The new speaker, in his acceptance speech, commended the former speaker for his service and commitment to the progress of the house and the people of the state.

He further said, “To my esteemed colleagues, I assure you that this leadership will be anchored on inclusiveness, fairness and respect for diverse opinions.

This house under my watch will work harmoniously with the executive and judiciary while maintaining our independence in line with the principle of separation of powers.”

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 presidential election, former President Goodluck Jonathan is facing increasing pressure—especially from northern opposition groups—to throw his hat into the ring and challenge incumbent President Bola Tinubu.

Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, initially assumed office following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in May 2010. He later won the 2011 election but lost to Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) coalition in 2015.

Despite the legal and political debates surrounding his eligibility—stemming from questions about whether he could serve more than one term after succeeding Yar’Adua—the Federal High Court in Yenagoa cleared Jonathan for the 2023 presidential race. However, he ultimately did not run, with speculation linking him to both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Now, as discussions intensify for 2027, Jonathan’s possible candidacy is again under the spotlight. Supporters suggest he might run on the PDP platform, given the party’s zoning of the presidency to the South and the constitutional provision limiting him to one term.

Yet, Jonathan has remained publicly silent on his intentions. Those close to him hint he could be a leading contender against President Tinubu, but no official confirmation has been made.

Political observers and figures have voiced divergent opinions on his potential return:

• Shehu Sani, former Kaduna Central lawmaker, argues that Jonathan should not contest, citing that the PDP he once led has changed significantly.
• Dele Farotimi, a prominent lawyer, warns that attempts to “rebrand” Jonathan overlook the reasons Nigerians voted him out in 2015, believing his tenure failed to resolve national issues.
• Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer, claims Jonathan is not interested in running.

Within the PDP, opinions are also mixed. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the matter as speculative. However, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, a Lagos PDP chieftain and former Atiku 2023 campaign council member, expressed skepticism about Jonathan securing the party’s nomination.

Pearse noted that Jonathan’s long absence from active party politics, lack of financial support, and questionable eligibility could hinder his bid. He suggested Jonathan would struggle to gather enough delegate support and warned of potential legal challenges if he pursued the presidency again.

Pearse added, “We have viable candidates like the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who has demonstrated effective leadership and stands a strong chance to defeat Tinubu in 2027.”

As the debate continues, Jonathan’s next move remains uncertain, leaving Nigerians and political analysts closely watching whether he will step forward to contest or remain on the sidelines in the forthcoming presidential race.

A parliamentary survey index aimed at measuring the performance and contributions of Nigeria’s federal lawmakers over one year has revealed a steady decline in the quality of debates in both chambers of the National Assembly.

The report titled National Assembly Deliberative Barometer and Policy Focus Report, by ERUDITE GROWTH & ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION, ERGAF-AFRICA, was unveiled today in Abuja.

The report discloses that four senators and 48 members of the House of Representatives did not make any contributions to debates, sponsor any bills, petitions or even raise a single Point of Order.

It said that Lagos lawmaker, Senator Idiat Oluranti tops the list of female productivity index with 22 legislative actions, followed by FCT senator, Ireti Kingibe and then Senator Ipalibo Banigo.

The report emphasised however that the issues of economy and Nigeria’s security challenges dominated discussions at plenary in both chambers in the period under review.ERGAF -Africa has spent the last two years compiling the report.

It calls it “The National Assembly Deliberative Barometer and Policy Focus Productivity Report”

It’s the first attempt to put in digital data form and infographic format the contributions of lawmakers in Africa.

The maiden edition covers the first session of the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria between June 14 2013, a day after it was inaugurated and 13th June 2024, revealing what the promoters describe as “a steady decline in legislative debates.

The report also reveals that while a total of 2275 legislative actions were carried out at plenary in the Senate; 4174 were conducted in the House of Representatives.

Out of these the report by ERGAF-AFRICA shows that 4 senators recorded zero contributions, during the period they served before some of them were sacked by the courts.

In the House of Representatives, 48 members did not make any contributions.

The report also highlights the top 10 performers in the Senate and 20 in the House of Representatives except for both presiding officers.

Issues of national interest dominated deliberations in both chambers especially, Nigeria’s wobbling economy and protracted security challenges.

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies welcomes the survey but not without a few reservations that it must be situated within the context of plenary sessions.

The report also reveals that while a total of 2275 legislative actions were carried out at plenary in the Senate; 4174 were conducted in the House of Representatives.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hart Cyril who represented the Speaker identifies similar limitations in the report even when he agrees it offers a potent platform to track legislative performances.