Johnson Babajide, Makurdi
Ahead of May 29th inauguration day, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) in Benue State have continued to exchange banter over the last-minute policies of Governor Samuel Ortom.
It will be recalled that APC candidate, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia having won the governorship election will as from May 29th form government in the state.
Shortly after the election, the incoming APC government has been accusing the Ortom-led PDP government of last-minute policies to stall its smooth takeover of government on May 29th, 2023.
The PDP publicity secretary in the state, Bemgba Iortyom in the latest statement issued and made available to journalists on Sunday described the alarm being raised by APC as steps to subvert and truncate the legitimate mandate of governor Ortom’s administration which ends on May 29th.
The PDP said, “The plots by Alia and APC have been revealed to include secret meetings held with selected civil servants some of whom they are reported to have threatened and some they have directed to scuttle the smooth running of the Ortom administration by ignoring directives from the governor.
“But our great party finds as most shocking the uncovering of a letter written by Alia to the MD/CEO of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) seeking to direct the company not to cooperate with the incumbent Ortom administration henceforth.
“PDP finds this disposition and conduct of Alia and APC as reflecting the most extreme form of impunity and immaturity lacking in necessary ingredients of statecraft as never before witnessed in the history of Benue State.
“Perhaps, Alia and APC need to be reminded that Governor Ortom remains the Governor of Benue State till May 29th, 2023 and there cannot within this period be two governors of the state.
The PDP added that Governor Ortom still has the right to make appointments, approve promotions, engage in contractual obligations and ensure that his administration discharges its lawful duty ‘such as the recent employment of qualified persons into the Teaching Service Board (TSB) and State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB).’
Iortyom described as unfounded the allegations that Ortom administration is embarking on the construction of an airport.
In a swift response, the publicity secretary of APC, Daniel Ihomou, also in a statement on Sunday queried the justification of the last minute policies of the PDP led government
Ihomou asked, “How can a government that has failed to build a Cargo Airport in Benue State after two attempts in almost 8 years suddenly award contract to build a Civil Airport in the remaining two months of the lifespan of such administration?
” Why will a government which has not been able to pay salaries and pensions, suddenly in the twilight of it’s administration suddenly begin the ill promotion/appoitment of selected people and illegal recruitment of more people into the service?
APC further said that Ortom administration in the past eight years with huge resources accrued to it’s goverment from federation account and huge debts incurred without correspondence result still plan to take more loans and overdrafts.
“What have they done with the already borrowed monies?
Ihomou said that the party will not fold its arms and watch the PDP to further destroy the state by fraudulently awarding contracts and back-dating same adding that the freedom of Information Act also provides the governor elect and any other citizen of Nigeria the liberty to seek information on any government policy from any government agency.
“Let us warn those trying to pull down the house because they have lost elections, that the APC will not fold its arms and allow them to destroy Benue state , Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has a covenant with the people to improve their lives and it must come to pass”, Ihoumou said.
