Alia dissolves Benue State Executive Council, appoints new Chief of Staff

Governor Hyacinth Alia has officially dissolved the Benue State Executive Council.

As part of the shake-up, Alia appointed Moses Atagher – former two-term Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state – as the new Chief of Staff.

Atagher, a seasoned administrator and former acting Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank, assumes office with immediate effect.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, revealed this in a statement he made available to the media late on Wednesday.

Kula said the decision was made known by the governor during the closing session of the 12th Executive Council meeting of 2025.

While expressing gratitude to the exiting commissioners for their service over the past two years, Alia urged those not reappointed to remain loyal to the party and stay engaged in the state’s development agenda.

He emphasized that the cabinet reshuffle was part of efforts to give other competent citizens a chance to contribute meaningfully.

The governor clarified that apart from the Chief of Staff the dissolution affects only commissioners and they were expected to hand over to their respective Permanent Secretaries without delay.

Speaking on behalf of the outgoing cabinet, Bemsen Mnyim thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and described the experience as a valuable learning curve.

Mnyim said, “At every stage in life, everywhere you are called to serve is a school. We have learnt a lot while working with you.”