Benue Governor Dismisses Electoral Commission Chairman

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has approved the removal of Dr. John Chem as Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC). The state House of Assembly recommended Chem’s removal on Wednesday, citing concerns over his poor judgment and decision-making.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, and shared with journalists in Makurdi on Friday, Governor Alia confirmed that he had accepted the Assembly’s resolution.

The statement noted, “The Assembly criticized the SIEC chairman for lacking the necessary judgment in making decisions that serve the interests of the majority of stakeholders, and for his actions falling short of public expectations.”

Governor Alia has instructed Chem to immediately hand over his duties to the commission’s administrative secretary.