Fmr Benue Gov Ortom Backs Senate On Sack Of Elected LG Officials

By Ayodele Oni

In what looks like a vindication of his stand on dissolution of Local Government Councils in Benue State, immediate past Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, has commended the Senate for taking a firm resolution on the issue.

The Senate on Friday urged the Federal Government to halt statutory allocation to Local Government Area Councils without democratically elected chairmen and councillors.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Senator representing the Benue South, Abah Moro which he titled, “Urgent Need to Halt the Erosion of Democracy: The Dissolution of Elected Councils in Benue State.”

Ortom, who was reacting to the development in a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Terver Akase, said the intervention of the Senate was a significant move.

The former governor said the move reflected a commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the autonomy of local government administration across the country.

“The unanimous resolution by the upper chamber of the National Assembly also represents a crucial step in safeguarding the democratic process at the grassroots level.

“The Senate’s decision is a proactive measure which also has the potency to deter any act that undermines the democratic rights of citizens and the principles of good governance.

“By calling for the withholding of statutory allocations to non-democratically elected local government councils, the Senate has demonstrated a firm stance against dictatorial tendencies.

“I commend Senator Abba Moro for his proactive motion which drew urgent attention to the issue of the unconstitutionally sacked local government councils in Benue State”