Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has revealed how former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ngunan Addingi rejected monetary offers to impeach him.
Addingi was a member of the 8th Benue State House of Assembly when plans to impeach Governor Ortom orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress, APC, heightened during his first tenure.
Governor Ortom disclosed this Thursday, December 16th, 2021 during a thank-you visit to him by the Kusuv community led by the former Commissioner.
He acknowledged the support his administration received during its trying times from Mrs Addingi who was a member of the House of Assembly at that time.
Governor Ortom recalled how Mrs Addingi rejected monetary offers to sign an impeachment notice against him, stressing that the former commissioner was not just one of the pillars in his administration but a woman of honour.
According to the Governor, “we have seen in the past where our constitution and laws were abused. People were removed from office and till tomorrow they never came back despite the lawlessness that took place.
“The same thing was attempted here when your wife was a member of the House of Assembly and temptation came, sentiments were brought, money was brought and given to her.
“They gave this woman money so that they can get the required number of members to impeach me and she said no. So people like this are people of honour.
“They took the money as she wanted to leave the house and dumped it in her car that she must take the money and sign that I must be impeached for no just cause. But she still rejected it,” the Governor told the elated Kusuv leaders.
Responding to the requests from the community leaders on some projects in their area, the Governor directed the Ministry of Rural Development to present a memo to the State Executive Council next week for electrification of Anvambe to Anshav and extension to Katsina-Ala Local Government Area which is at the banks of river Katsina-Ala.
The Governor assured them of the government’s commitment to completing the projects before the end of his administration.
He also assured them that other projects requested by the Kusuv community including Mkovur junction to Ndiaka road on the banks of River Katsina-Ala will be looked into when funds are available.
The Governor thanked the Kusuv community for appreciating the little value addition to their community by his administration, pointing out that Kusuv people have demonstrated true friendship through their wives.
Earlier, the former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Addingi, applauded the Ortom-led administration for putting Kusuv on the map of greatness through her appointment as the first commissioner from the area.
She appreciated the Governor for the support while she served as Commissioner in the midst of meagre resources and multiple challenges, saying it was a great honour for her to have worked with the Governor.
Others who spoke included Mue Ter Mbanyam, HRH Tivfa Addingi, Hon. Tarhule Nev, Livinus Awuhe all said their visit was to thank the Governor for the good things he has done for them and pledged their unflinching support to his administration now and in the future.
The Kusuv community presented various gifts to the Governor and also decorated him with traditional attires.