Benue Assembly rejects Gov Alia’s nominee over Facebook post insulting Tiv tribe

On Thursday, the Benue State House of Assembly declined to confirm Vincent Gisaor, who was nominated by Governor Hyacinth Alia for membership in the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission. Gisaor was rejected by Assembly members due to allegations of insulting the Tiv tribe through a post on his Facebook page. He was one of the eight nominees for the state electoral commission submitted for screening.

During a plenary session, a member of the House, Cephas Dyako, representing Konshisha State Constituency, brought attention to a Facebook post made by Gisaor prior to his nomination. Dyako pointed out that in the post, Gisaor made derogatory remarks about the entire Tiv ethnic group in the state. According to Dyako, Gisaor used offensive language directed at the Tiv people.

Gisaor attempted to defend himself by explaining that he was quoting an elderly woman he encountered during a conflict between the Yarev and Ikparev people in Tyo-mu, Makurdi. He claimed that the woman insulted the Tiv people while speaking to him, and he merely repeated her words. However, lawmakers found his explanation unconvincing and unanimously agreed that he was unfit for the public office.

In his ruling, the Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, stated that Gisaor did not attribute the offensive remarks to anyone else in his post, implying that they were his own opinions. Consequently, the Speaker urged the governor to nominate another candidate in place of Gisaor.