By Amos Aar
GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Monday sworn in chairmen of the 23 local government councils of the state who were announced as winners at last Saturday’s local government polls conducted by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the inauguration ceremony which took place at the old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, Alia promised to implement local government autonomy in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court.
He disclosed that the local government elections conducted last Saturday were in fulfillment of part of the judgement by the apex court towards ensuring financial independence of the third tier of government.
Alia, who debunked complaints from the opposition parties, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), that the just concluded polls were not free, fair and credible, tasked the newly sworn-in chairmen on hard work, transparency and accountability.
He also urged those who might not be satisfied with the outcome of the exercise to seek redress from appropriate authorities.
Asked how autonomous the newly sworn in chairmen would operate financially, Alia said: “On the issue of autonomy, this is coming right from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court tasked states to conduct elections and it is in fulfillment of that that we have to do the elections as well.
But let me be clear, we have to do everything. The moment I stepped into this position, I personally declared autonomy for the government because as a progressive, I wanted the government to be seen and felt in our local governments. That was why I did that and no one is going to take it away. I still remember my resolve.”
He added: “Everything that has to do with the people is given them. So, people are experiencing this. People are testifying this and this is why we are very excited to step out there and vote this gentleman in.
“So, I am strongly of the opinion still that while they are out, the most important thing is that they must be accountable, responsible and very transparent. That is the only way that pushes us forward. I encourage them to stay on that path as well.
“On the issue of whichever party presents some anxieties, the media folks have heard them and I am yet to get any formal report on that. But what I saw on the screens of the television, of the social media, was that the Labour Party was quite excited about the elections and all that.
“You know and I know for sure that many, many years back, what we did on Saturday was never done here in the state.
“So, it is like, after how many years, it was a few years, that APC is a very transparent association and I needed to keep my credibility and so we chose that everybody steps out there to do their franchise. So, this is exactly what we have done.
“I voted myself. I went to my own group, to my village and voted. Lots of people were out there to do the same thing and then, within my town, it is the same thing that happened.
“So, if you have some reservations, I think it is normal and there are processes for them to follow. So, I invite them to follow those processes for their anxieties. But again, let me just quickly say that I remember that there are people who always remain dissatisfied no matter what you do. Even when you walk on water, they will complain that you are raising dust.
“So, we have processes that if anyone is anxious on anything at all that happened, the elections that happened on Saturday, please, let them follow the procedures, let them follow the processes. And justice will always be done.
Responding on behalf of the new chairmen, the chairman of Vandeikya LGA, Hon. Dennis Guda, appreciated the governor, the leadership of the APC and the entire people of the state, for giving them the mandate to pilot the affairs of the local government councils.
He assured of their readiness to work in line with the 7-point agenda of the governor and to always be in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders, sharing ideas for the overall progress of the state.
The 23 new chairmen sworn in include:
1. Adi Timothy Nyiakura – Gwer East
2. Guda Terkura Dennis – Vandeikya
3. Keffi Joseph – Makurdi
4. Jonathan Modi – Ukum
5. Tyowase Kumasuun Elijah – Ushongo
6. Vitalis Terhile Neji – Kwande
7. Yenge Raphael – Tarka
8. Shaku Justine O. Agabi – Katsina Ala
9. Adah Matthew Inalegwu – Okpokwu
10. Adam Ochega Ogwola – Apa
11. Kav Clement – Logo
12. Melvin James Ejeh – Agatu
13. Adole Oche James – Ohimini
14. Chikyaa Moses Terfa – Konshisha
15. Orwough Maurice Hemen – Guma
16. Zege Raymond Aondoakula – Buruku
17. Odeh Ahonye Daniel – Obi
18. Maxwell Ogiri Ogiri – Otukpo
19. Ajunwa Ameh Sunday – Ogbadibo
20. Ormin Torsar Victor – Gwer West
21. Ominyi Jackson A. – Oju
22. Engr. Sunday Oche – Ado
23. Barr. Torseer Yina – Gboko
