Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed appointment of First Class Chiefs in Benue State, the Gabriel Suswam-led government has concluded plans to go ahead with the decision, DAILY POST has learnt.
Suswam, who would be taking the exit door from Government House, Makurdi has penned down names of ten first class chiefs to be appointed in the state before he leaves office May 29.
This is contrary to the earlier verdict of the Benue State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, restraining the governor and eight others from appointing first class chiefs in the state.
The Chief Judge ordered the respondents through their agents from giving effect to the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Councils Bill/Law passed by the Benue State House of Assembly on 7th April, 2015 pending the determination of the motion on notice.
He also restrained the respondents or their agents from appointing or taking any step towards the appointment of any person to the office of the 10 proposed 1st class chiefs in Benue State or such office by whatever name called.
However, this verdict did not go down well with the governor as he had already concluded plans to appoint the chiefs, who will earn not less than N750, 000 monthly.
Latest finding by DAILY POST indicates that, aside the N750, 000 monthly salaries, the ten chiefs would also be entitled to a steward, driver, secretary and other clerical staff, whose salaries would be paid by the state government.
The development has since triggered verbal war between the outgoing governor, Suswam and the governor-elect, Samuel Ortom, with the later accusing the former of trying to frustrate his incoming government.
It was gathered that the governor was able to execute the plan after the governor-elect had traveled to China with former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and chief of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Audu Ogbe.
The ‘anointed’ monarchs, insiders hinted, include Suswam’s immediate elder brother, Terkura Suswam Tor Sankera. Others are Chief David Afaityo Ajoke (Tor Jemgbagh), Chief Ambrose Pine Iortyer (Tor Kwande), Chief P. K. Ugandan (Tor Jerchira), Chief Goddy Ikereve (Tor Gwer), Chief Moses Anagende (Tor Lobi) and among others traditional rulers in the state.
Suswam’s stand
The outgoing governor is of the opinion that it is high time Benue had first class chiefs as it was being done in other states.
He anchored his decision on a controversial local government and chieftaincy bill recently passed by the state house of assembly.
He strongly warned the governor-elecrt and leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state to note that he remains the leader of the state till May 29.
“I wishe to advise that they should wait until May 29, 2015 when the APC government will be officially inaugurated before they can take charge of governance in the state.
“The APC and indeed the good people of Benue State are to note that I remain the Executive Governor and would not tolerate reckless pronouncements from any person or persons on matters of government and governance in Benue State,” the Governor warned.
Ortom accuses the governor of penetrating last-minute fraud
Meanwhile, Ortom who has tagged the ongoing plan by the outgoing governor as ‘’last minute frauds’’, said that such development is ill timed and should be put on hold considering the huge wage bill and debt profile of the state.
The governor-elect maintained that he stands by the court injunction.
He had also vowed to “look into” Governor Gabriel Suswam’s administration in the state with a view to correcting its ills and make government accountable.
He said, “We are going to look at Governor Gabriel Suswam’s administration, though we do not have specific areas where we intend to look at but I assure you that we are going to stand for the people of Benue State.
“We wish to warn that any appointment of first class chiefs in the state and fresh recruitment into the state public service by the outgoing administration will not be acceptable to the incoming administration. Beneficiaries are also advised and warned.”
He regretted that the state had been grounded by Suswam as civil servants and pensioners were not paid their legitimate earnings.
“Our state has been literarily grounded and the most important thing at the moment should be how to offset salaries and allowances owed workers and stabilise for a smooth takeoff,” he said.
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