Benue: Alleged plot to weaken Alia Government unfolds in SUBEB suspension saga

Fresh controversy has erupted in Benue State following the call for the suspension of the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Grace Adagba. Her suspension plot is reportedly connected to political tensions and contract disputes involving top state officials.

Findings suggest that the move by the Benue State House of Assembly to suspend Adagba may be part of a larger plan allegedly aimed at weakening the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

A recent  report in one of the National Dallies , ( not DAILY POST) had claimed that the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, met secretly in the United States with associates of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

During the meeting, a plan was hatched to destabilise the Alia-led government and possibly impeach the governor and his deputy, Dr Sam Ode, was allegedly discussed.

The report named SUBEB as one of the key targets, with the House Chief Whip, Hon. Peter Ipusu, listed among lawmakers supporting the move. The lawmakers were reportedly promised return tickets to the Assembly, brand new SUVs, and campaign funds in exchange for their roles.

However, findings showed that the resolution to suspend Adagba did not follow the normal legislative process.

A video of the House plenary where the Ad Hoc Committee on State-Wide Contract Verification was created showed that SUBEB was not initially included in the list of agencies to be investigated.

A member of the committee, who spoke anonymously with our Correspondent , confirmed this. “SUBEB was not even part of our initial scope. The issue of her suspension came up suddenly during our sitting on Tuesday, August 5,” the source said.

The conflict reportedly began earlier in the year when the Assembly stopped a state-wide teacher recruitment process managed by SUBEB. Reports later revealed that lawmakers had received recruitment slots for their own constituencies.

Sources said tensions worsened when contract awards under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)-funded projects became controversial. Some lawmakers allegedly wanted to influence the contracts, but Adagba refused, insisting on due process.

An  insider in an interview with our Correspondent said lawmakers made informal requests to be included in the contract process or be financially compensated. When these demands weren’t met, calls for Adagba’s suspension reportedly began.

“There were talks that lawmakers should nominate contractors or benefit from the UBEC funds. When that didn’t happen, some felt sidelined,” the source said.

Recall in August 4, Adagba reportedly wrote to the Assembly committee, saying she was ready to appear before it if given at least 30 days to prepare documents. However, the very next day, the House passed the resolution suspending her.

Further checks by The Nation confirmed that SUBEB was not mentioned in the committee’s original mandate, raising suspicions that her suspension may have been politically motivated.

Meanwhile, observers have expressed concerns that the crisis could damage Benue’s relationship with UBEC and other donor agencies, which often link funding to transparency and compliance with rules.

A retired education official, Elder Ada Oche, warned, “If SUBEB is being attacked for political reasons, it could affect donor funding and hurt the state’s education development.”

Some Assembly members and civil society groups have called on Governor Alia to step in, urging him to protect his education reforms and ease tensions between the executive and legislature.

Efforts to contact Dr Adagba and Chief Whip Peter Ipusu for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.

Benue: Alleged plot to weaken Alia Government unfolds in SUBEB suspension saga