Suswam perpetrating last minute fraud, says Gov-elect, Ortom

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Incoming Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has said that he will “look into” the outgoing administration of Governor Gabriel Suswam, with a view to correct its ills and make government accountable.

The governor-elect stated this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Makurdi, the state capital. Ortom, who last week received eight brand new SUVs from Suswam as part of a “smooth transition” process, accused the governor of “perpetrating last minute frauds”.

Speaking through the deputy governor-elect, Benson Abounu, Mr. Ortom noted that Suswam should comply with democratic best practices of consulting with those who would take over the governance of the state before taking any major decision.

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”.

The governor-elect 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.