Benue: Dajoh alleges Gov Alia sought relocation of Tor Tiv Palace to Vandeikya, says refusal cost him Speakership

By Johnson Arua, Makurdi

Former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, has alleged that his removal from office was triggered by his refusal to support an alleged plan by Governor Hyacinth Alia to relocate the Palace of the Tor Tiv from Gboko to Ihugh, the governor’s hometown in Vandeikya Local Government Area.

Dajoh made the claim on Saturday during activities marking his 50th birthday celebration in Akpagher Mbatiav, Gboko Local Government Area, where he addressed political associates, traditional rulers, family members and supporters.
The former Speaker said he opposed what he described as an attempt to move the revered traditional institution from its ancestral headquarters in Gboko, insisting that his decision angered the governor and ultimately led to his downfall.

“Governor Alia sent a letter to me directing that I should relocate the Tor Tiv Palace from Gboko to his community, Ihugh. I rejected the idea. I told him that he wanted to kill me. This was one of my biggest offenses,” Dajoh alleged.

He further claimed that shortly after rejecting the proposal, he received warnings from individuals close to the governor that his position as Speaker was at risk.

Beyond the palace relocation allegation, Dajoh accused the governor of attempting to influence the removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, claiming that more than N200 million was allegedly spent in the process.

He also accused the government of alleged contract inflation referencing the Wurukum–Renewed Hope Estate road as an example.

The former Speaker also criticized Governor Alia’s relationship with the Jemgbagh people, accusing him of taking decisions that undermined key traditional and political interests in the area.

Alia’s Aide Rejects Claims

Responding to the allegations, the Benue State Government dismissed Dajoh’s claims as false and politically motivated.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the government described the former Speaker’s remarks as a collection of “conspiracy theories, unfounded accusations, outright falsehoods and reckless claims.”

Kula specifically denied the allegation that Governor Alia ever instructed Dajoh to relocate the Tor Tiv Palace, challenging him to provide proof.

“The claim that Governor Hyacinth Alia wrote to him asking him to relocate the Palace of the Tor Tiv from Gboko to Ihugh is entirely false, baseless and imaginary,” the statement said.

The government argued that any official correspondence sent to the House of Assembly would have been subjected to legislative procedures and could not have been privately acted upon by the Speaker.
“We challenge Dajoh to make public the letter he alleged the Governor sent to him to relocate the Tor Tiv Palace to Ihugh,” Kula stated.

The governor’s spokesman further noted that the House of Assembly lacked the constitutional authority to relocate a traditional institution, describing Dajoh’s account as inconsistent and implausible.

On the allegation involving the Chief Judge, the government called on the former Speaker to explain his claim regarding the alleged N200 million.

“The people of Benue deserve facts, not fiction; evidence, not emotions; and accountability, not political theatre,” the statement added.

Kula also defended the Alia administration’s infrastructure projects, particularly the Wurukum–Renewed Hope Estate road, saying the governor had remained transparent and had secured the necessary federal approvals for the project.

Political Tensions Resurface

The latest exchange has reopened debate over the circumstances surrounding Dajoh’s exit as Speaker and highlights growing political divisions within Benue State.

While Dajoh maintains that he was removed for resisting what he considered an unacceptable proposal affecting the Tiv traditional institution, the state government insists the allegations are fabricated and has challenged him to provide documentary evidence to support his claims.

Neither party has, so far, publicly presented documents to substantiate their respective positions.