FROM THE BENUE PEOPLES HOUSE...
11TH – 16th JAN. 2016
By Terver Akase
Hello Friends
It is time again for, ‘From the Benue Peoples House’, the weekly review of activities of the Benue State Governor,Samuel Ortom.
In this package, Supreme Court confirms the election of Governor Samuel Ortom as he calls for unity and dedicates victory to the people.
The week which just ended featured historic moments in the life of Benue State. Join me now as I take you through the major engagements of Governor Ortom within the week.
MONDAY
ORTOM AND TARZOOR PRESENT AT THE SUPREME COURT
Both Prince Terhemen Tarzoor and Governor Samuel Ortom appeared that day at the Supreme Court in Abuja with a train of lawyers to handle their cases.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Adebayo Adenipekun, with 29 other lawyers appeared for Prince Terhemen Tarzoor. Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, with 27 lawyers appeared for Governor Ortom, while Sebastian Hon, SAN, appeared for the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Professor A. A. Ijohor announced appearance for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
After an interesting legal tussle, the Supreme Court Justices fixed Friday January 15, 2016 for judgment on the case.
TUESDAY
.....ORTOM AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA
Governor Samuel Ortom visited the Presidential Villa and briefed President Muhammadu Buhari about the plan of his administration to extend its amnesty programme in the Southern part of the state (Zone C). The Governor later disclosed to State House correspondents that the President had approved the amnesty extension.
Same Day,
......CHARGES COMMUNITIES TO STOP CELEBRATING QUESTIONABLE WEALTH
Governor, Samuel Ortom, on that day, charged communities to join the Federal Government’s crusade against corruption by refusing to celebrate those whose source of wealth is questionable.
He gave the charge when he visited the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu in Abuja.
The Governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the fight against corruption and enjoined communities to begin to question the source of wealth of their members who suddenly become rich rather than celebrating them as was the present case.
Still on Tuesday,
.....BENUE - NASARAWA SEEK CLOSER TIES
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura canvassed closer ties between the two states.
This was confirmed when Governor Ortom visited his colleague at the Government House in Lafia.
Governor Ortom said beside common boundaries, the two states share other similarities including ethnic composition, a common history as well as cultural and political affiliation.
Governor Al-Makura, described his Benue State counterpart as a dear friend and brother who was passionate about good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence.
WEDNESDAY
.....PROMISES NOT TO RETRENCH WORKERS DESPITE DIFFICULT TIMES
Governor Samuel Ortom assured workers of the state that there will not be retrenchment in the civil service despite the dwindling economy.
He gave the assurance during the burial of Mama Martina Nongu Yina, which took place at Tse-Shenge, Mbayion, Gboko LGA of the state.
The Governor said the State Government will also not cut the salaries of workers, stating that instead, efforts would be intensified to raise the internally generated revenue of the state from N250 million to over N1 billion which is the monthly target of the state.
Same Day,
.....CHARGES CHAIRMEN TO BOOST IGR
Governor Samuel Ortom, while swearing in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 councils in the state, charged them to fashion out creative ideas to boost internally generated revenue.
The event took place at the New Banquet hall of the Benue Peoples House.
He stated, “Those that have been given leadership positions at all levels have to be frugal with the resources at their disposal even as attention must be given to creative ideas that would beef up internally generated revenue”.
THURSDAY
The Governor left for Abuja to take part in other functions in the FCT.
FRIDAY
....SUPREME COURT UPHLODS ELECTION OF GOVERNOR ORTOM
Seven Justices of the apex court in a unanimous decision, dismissed the appeal brought before the court by the candidate of PDP in the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial election in Benue State, Terhemen Tarzoor, saying that the appellant lacked locus standi to challenge the nomination of the candidate of another party.
....ORTOM EXTENDS OLIVE BRANCH TO TARZOOR
Governor Samuel Ortom, shortly after the Supreme Court judgment, extended an olive branch to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Prince Terhemen Tarzoor.
Reacting to the judgment at the Governor's Lodge in Abuja, Governor Ortom commended Prince Tarzoor for opting for the legal process rather than violence in the pursuit of his political convictions.
He said now that the apex court had settled the political dispute, he has extended a hand of fellowship to Prince Tarzoor and invited him to join him and contribute his ideas and those of his supporters towards the development of the state.
Later that day, Prince Tarzoor sent a congratulatory message to Governor Ortom on his victory at the apex curt.
SATURDAY
.....BENUE WON; LET'S END THE BICKERING - ORTOM
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom called on supporters of his administration and those of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to put aside political sentiments and join hands for the progress of the state.
Governor Ortom, in a statement, urged the two camps to cease bitter exchanges on and off social platforms and embrace each other in the spirit of the new Benue which his administration promised the people of the state.
According to the Governor, his victory at the Supreme Court is for every Benue person as it has helped to deepen democracy in the state and country.
He said Benue was the winner at the Supreme Court.
It is on that cheerful note that we end this edition of ‘From the Benue Peoples House’. Again, SA Media and ICT, Tahav Agerzua made useful contributions.
See you this weekend.
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