August 21, (THEWILL) – The Benue State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Samuel Ortom n of allegedly mismanaging and manipulating the local government system in the state to his advantage, even as government in a swift reaction described such as a mere distraction.
“Governor Ortom’s undying desire to mismanage local governments in Benue State and run them as his private ventures has made him to disregard every provision of the Constitution on Local Government administration,” the APC said.
At a news conference held in Makurdi last Friday, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Dan Morgan Ihyomun, alleged that Ortom failed to conduct free and fair elections as required by Section 7 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He said, “Although, there are certain persons who are parading themselves as local government council chairmen in the state, in actual fact, no election was held. The PDP government dubiously hand picked loyalists and announced them as elected. This single act is unconstitutional and illegal.
“Most questionable is the fact that, even although, Governor Ortom has inaugurated his so-called local government chairmen, he has failed to direct them to swear-in their deputies as well as the Councilors representing the various council wards in the state”.
According to the party, the absence of councilors comprising the legislative arm of the local government areas will make it easier for members of the Samuel Ortom administration to embezzle funds meant for the running of the affected councils and to divert funds to their personal pockets.
However, in his response to the allegation, the Special Adviser to Governor Ortom on Media and Publicity, Mr Terver Akase, said that he who accuses should provide proof.
“We challenge APC to publish evidence to back their claim that the Governor has turned local governments to his private use and has been diverting funds meant for the councils. They should spare Benue people the stress of searching for proof.”
In a statement released on Friday, Akase noted that it was on record that in the last seven years, under the Ortom administration, three different local government elections were conducted and three sets of council chairmen duly elected.
“The APC should be worried that it was unable to field candidates for the last local government election in Benue. How was Governor Ortom responsible for the party’s failure to present candidates for the council polls?
“Governor Ortom has ensured that leaders of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT and several labour unions, as well as the association of local government councilors are members of the Joint Account Allocation Committee in Benue State. The unions know precisely how local government funds are administered.
“Benue APC has every reason to be desperate, owing to the mass defection of its members into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the 2023 elections draw closer.
“A party which suffered a devastating defeat in 2019 and is now facing another defeat in 2023 has justification for distress. The pain of the impending defeat of APC is inevitably similar to circumcision. The cry of a baby does not stop it,” Akase said.
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