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The Benue State House of Assembly has called for full enforcement of the state’s Order of Precedence Law, citing repeated violations of established protocol by government officials during public ceremonies.
The resolution followed a motion moved on Thursday at plenary in Makurdi by Simon Gabo (APC/Mata).
While presenting the motion, Mr. Gabo referenced the provisions of the Benue State Nigeria Law Gazette No. 11, Volume 14 of March 17, 2016, particularly Schedule Section 3(1) and 7(2), which spell out the ranking of public office holders in the state.
He explained that the law clearly places the governor first in the hierarchy, followed by the deputy governor, the speaker of the house of assembly, the chief judge of the state/customary court of appeal, the deputy speaker, members of the assembly, commissioners and other executive council members, as well as the secretary to the state government.
According to him, some protocol officers either lack proper understanding of the law or intentionally sidestep it by ranking commissioners above elected lawmakers at official engagements.
Mr. Gabo lamented what he described as growing disregard for legislators by certain commissioners and members of the executive council during state functions.
He added that continuous misinterpretation of the law had emboldened some commissioners to sideline lawmakers, despite the assembly’s constitutional authority to oversee ministries, departments and agencies.
Kennedy Angbo (APC/Otukpa-Akpa), who seconded the motion, stated that many executive officials had failed to comply with the legal provisions and urged that sanctions be introduced to ensure adherence to the approved order.
Michael Audu (APC/Adoko-Ugboju), contributing to the debate, faulted the Government House Protocol Unit, alleging that its officials seemed unclear about their duties.
He expressed concern over instances where lawmakers were denied appropriate seating and called for the protocol officers to be summoned to explain their actions.
The Majority Leader, Thomas Dugeri, also spoke on the issue, advising the Clerk of the House, Bem Mela, to formally notify the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Head of Service (HOS), as well as ministries, departments and agencies, about the assembly’s stance.
Peter Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala West) suggested that the SSG should convene a workshop to properly educate government officials on the provisions of the order of precedence law.
Delivering his ruling, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, instructed the clerk to write to all relevant government officials and local government chairmen, directing them to comply fully with the law.
He further warned that the state director of protocol must strictly observe the order of precedence at all public events, stressing that any official who violates the law would be held accountable.
(NAN)
Benue Assembly moves to enforce order of precedence at public events
