The Benue State House of Assembly Tuesday called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to suspend Dr. Grace Adagba, Chairman of the State Basic Education Board (SUBEB), for six months following her repeated refusal to cooperate with a legislative investigation.
This is not the first time the House of Assembly and SUBEB chairman are at loggerhead.
The assembly had previously suspended her on December 19, 2024, for refusing to honour a resolution directing SUBEB to suspend primary school teachers recruitment exercise amid controversy.
The current tensions between the assembly and Dr. Adagba stem from her refusal to appear before an ad hoc committee investigating alleged illegal activities within SUBEB and her claim that the assembly lacks the authority to probe the board’s contracts.
The assembly has taken a firm stance, recommending her suspension for six months and directing the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Denen Aondoakaa, to halt fund releases to SUBEB.
During Tuesday’s plenary session in Makurdi, Mr. Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala West), the Chief Whip, moved a motion citing Dr. Adagba’s failure to honour several invitations extended by the House’s Ad-Hoc Committee.
The committee had been tasked with verifying the status of projects initiated by Governor Alia’s administration.
Hon. Ipusu said despite numerous summons, Dr. Adagba allegedly refused to appear, asserting in writing that the Assembly lacked the authority to review SUBEB contracts.
The Lawmakers condemned this stance, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine legislative oversight.
Mr. Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) who seconded the motion said the board’s leadership was uncooperative.
Also Mr. Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East) emphasised that SUBEB is subject to legislative scrutiny under state law, while Pharm. Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) criticised Dr. Adagba’s “rascality” and urged the House to stand firm in its decision.
Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to transparency, stressing the need for public trust and accountable governance.
The motion to suspend Dr. Adagba was passed with widespread support from members across party lines.