A group of elected officials from the local government councils in Benue State staged a peaceful demonstration in Makurdi on Thursday. The officials expressed their disapproval of what they deemed an illegal suspension imposed upon them by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The suspension of the 23 local government chairmen and their councilors occurred in June following the recommendation of the Benue State House of Assembly. However, the suspended vice chairman of Makurdi LGA, Mr. Frank Mbashinya, led the protest, asserting their refusal to accept the suspension.
One of the main grievances of the protesting officials is the failure of the government to comply with the judgments of the National Industrial Court and the high court, both of which ordered their reinstatement. As a result, the officials demanded the governor’s immediate compliance with the court orders, which include the restoration of their salaries and benefits.
During the protest, the state Commissioner of Police intervened and promised to communicate the officials’ grievances to the governor.
Tragically, it was reported that a councilor who participated in the protest lost his life in an accident while returning to Gboko.
