The drama occurred immediately after the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, proclaimed the 10th Assembly, paving the way for the 32-member house to choose its next leader.
As the Governor is from Vandeikya LGA in Benue North-East and the Deputy Governor from Otukpo LGA in Benue South Senatorial District, it is also believed that the position of speaker was zoned to Gboko LGA in Benue North-West.
Becky Orpine, the member representing Gboko East, and Aondonna Hyacinth Dajo, the member representing Gboko West, are the two candidates for speaker.
While Orpine has the support of the APC's Pro-George Akume camp and the State Working Committee, her opponent Dajo has the support of the governor and his APC supporters in the state.
After the first round of voting, the two candidates tied with 16 ballots each, and the clerk of the assembly announced that there would be a second ballot.
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Before the next round of voting, Cephas Diako, who represents the Konshisha Constituency and is the sole member of the Labour Party, demanded that the Governor and the APC leaders leave the chamber because, according to him, their presence is pressuring the members to vote for their preferred candidates.
The house adjourned for ten minutes before reconvening for a second round of voting for the position of speaker, allowing members to confer with one another regarding who to vote for as speaker.
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However, when the second round of voting commenced, there was a shouting match among members over an alleged plot by some members attempting to influence other members to vote for a particular candidate as speaker.
The pro-Akume and pro-Alia supporters demonstrated vociferously, with each faction accusing the other of unfair practices and demanding the cancellation of the second round of voting due to alleged influence over the voting process.
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