Ortom, Alia’s transition c’ttees in fight over claims of unconstitutional demands

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

The Benue State Transition Committee under the watch of the Secretary to the Benue State Governnment, Professor Anthony Ijohor has replied the Benue State Governor-elect Transition Committee headed by Mr. Mike Iordye over unconstitutional demands.

The former  described the demands made by the team of the Governor-elect as unconstitutional  and an aberration.

In a press statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN, made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on Wednesday, the Committee revealed that they read a press statement issued by the team constituted by the Benue State Governor-Elect, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia in which the group accused the State Transition Committee put in place by the Governor of the State, Samuel Ortom of delaying the presentation of handover notes to it.

According to the statement, the group further demanded among others for, “Comprehensive Handover Notes covering the period of the outgoing administration i.e. 2015 – 2023 for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the Debt Profile and the state of finances of the State.”

It further stated that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not provide for a parallel government in any state and  Governor Samuel Ortom remains the Governor of Benue State till May 29, 2023, and he is expected to handover to the Governor-elect and not a transition committee.

The statement explained that the Benue State Transition Committee already held its inaugural meeting where it was agreed that Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies will subsequently brief the Committee.

According to the statement, what is expected of the team of the incoming Governor is  to cooperate with the outgoing administration for a smooth transition of power, instead of going to the press to raise unfounded alarms.