Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has warned newly sworn in acting chairmen of local government councils to shun the temptation of operating as Sole Administrators and ensure that they carried everyone along.
Ortom who gave the advice yesterday in Makurdi after swearing-in six acting chairmen of local councils and two commissioners, also warned them to desist from sharing funds meant for the development of the council to elders.
‘’The era of sharing of councils money to the elders is now over. Government money is meant to touch the lives of the people positively, especially at the grassroots, so be prudent in handling the finances of the council,” he warned.
Governor Ortom, also urged Benue residents to eschew violence now, during and after the forthcoming polls.
“I urge the chairmen to always ensure that absolute peace reign in your domains at all times,’’ he said.
Responding on behalf of their colleagues, the commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Ekpe Ogbu and the acting chairman of Makurdi LGA, Mrs Lym Goon, appreciated Ortom for finding them worthy of the appointments.
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The duo said it was a rare opportunity for them to contribute their quota to the development of the state and pledged not to disappoint Benue people.
They further promised to work assiduously towards the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state during the forthcoming polls.
Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered that there was widespread protest by alleged APC youths in Kwande and Gboko local government areas as a result of the suspension of some council chairmen and their subsequent replacement.
It was learnt that the youths who are sympathetic to the APC in the area, carried placards and blocked major roads to express their grievances over the suspension of the chairmen.
A source who pleaded anonymity said some of the aggrieved youths were seen vandalising offices and destroying bill boards belonging to PDP just as most residents scampered for safety.
“The destruction is worst around J.S Tarka Way as motorcycles belonging to PDP supporters were burnt down”, the source said.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations’ Officer, DSP Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incidence, disclosed that in Kwande, the suspended chairman, Terdoo Kenti addressed the youths, appealing to them to remain calm as they will seek legal redress to the action. He added that in Gboko, economic activities was shut down even as security men ensured the maintenance of peace.
