With less than two weeks to the official handover ceremony, Benue State deputy Governor, Chief Steven Obekpa Lawani, OFR, is yet to move his belongings from the government House, Makurdi, DAILY POST has learnt.
Recall that Ochagwu K’Idoma, as Lawani is fondly called was picked as Suswam’s deputy governor in 2007 after the former defeated him to pick the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship ticket.
They both have spent eight years as the governor and deputy governor respectively.
Findings by our reporter indicate that Governor Suswam had penultimate Saturday moved the final parts of his belongings from the Benue State Government House.
However, his deputy governor, Lawani who again last year failed to pick the PDP’s gubernatorial ticket, is yet to move his belongings from the government quarters.
This, DAILY POST learnt has slowed down renovation work currently ongoing at the Government House ahead of May 29.
A reliable insider who would not want his name in print told our correspondent on Tuesday that the deputy governor is hardly seen at the complex lately.
“At the moment, the deputy governor has not even moved a pin out of the government house. Renovations are ongoing in some parts of the complex and his refusal to move his belonging is slowing down the project. We don’t know what is his plan.”
Asked if the incoming governor, Samuel Ortom was aware of the development, the source said, “Even if he’s aware, is he going to throw out the loads? Lawani should know that their tenure expires May 29. Why is he keeping his loads there? I think there’s more to that. Besides, we cannot cry more than the bereaved because Ortom is not complaining,” the insider added.
There were reports earlier that Lawani has been under pressure to join the APC following the fall of the PDP in the just concluded elections.
However, efforts to reach the soft-spoken politician for comment could not yield any result before going to press.
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