By Uche Nnorom
On Monday 29th May, 2023, a new administration will be ushered in Benue State. Governor Samuel Ortom will exit the stage after serving his eight year term as the fifth democratically elected governor of the state; and a new Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia will assume office as the sixth democratically elected governor of the state.
Ortom has in the past weeks been busy commissioning several projects to mark the end of his administration. The projects, mostly roads that were started midstream into his administrstion, were completed towards the end to showcase his achievements and prove his popular cliche,”that better is the end of a matter than the beginning therefore’.
For the governor, it has been a period of sober reflection on the last eight years of his government. And he never ceases to pat himself on the back and say,”I have run the race and finish well”. Ortom also has not failed to appreciate Benue people who chose him to be Governor of the State. He said he did not take this for granted. He emphasised the immense cooperation and support that the people had given him especially in his fight against ‘herders attempted invasion of the State’. This he continually lamented and blamed the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari for his failure to tackle insecurity frontally.
The Governor’ has had strained relationship with the Presidency accusing him of frustrating his administration particularly in his failure to release 42 billion naira to offset backlog of salaries and another 20 billion infrastructure fund.
While Governor Ortom is busying himself engaging in blame game, the mood in the State ahead of the inauguration of Fr. Alia as governor is that of excitement. It could be likened to an expectant mother waiting to deliver after nine months of pregnancy. For APC and Benue people, a new born child is being awaited eagerly and earnestly.
Expectation are very high amongst the citizenry that a new dawn will be ushered in by the incomingadminstratin. They expect a new chapter to be opened in the annals of the State. Indeed the new governor should know the enormity of the challenges ahead of him which is the development of the State in all ramifications.
One particular area Fr. Alia would have to tackle and restore hope to Benue people would be to clear the huge backlog of salaries that he will inherit from Ortom. Whether he will allow the Life Pension Bill by Ortom which he initiated at the twilight of his administration is also, yet to be seen.
Meanwhile,preparations for the day has since commenced and as part of its readiness to ensure adequate security, the State Police Command has directed all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the command to emplace adequate security in their areas of responsibility.
The directive was contained in an operation order designed by the command and sent down to various divisions.
It was signed by the Police Public Relations’ Officer SP Catherine Anene on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police CP Julius Okoro Alawari and made available to Weekend Peoples Daily.
In his directives, the CP emphasized that the venue for the inauguration ceremony should be heavily secured with adequate man power and relevant equipment to ensure serenity and orderliness.
‘All Police Officers have been warned to be very professional and civil in carrying out their duties.
“The command wishes to also inform members of the public that there will be diversion around entry and exit routes within Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Square, High level Makurdi as part of efforts to ensure free flow of traffic. Members of the Public are therefore urged to be law abiding and cooperate with Officers on duty for a peaceful inaugural process.
“Non state actors or aggrieved groups and individuals are warned to channel their grievances to relevant authorities for redress”, CP Okoro advised
He assured the people of Benue State of his commitment to ensure safety and security of the people.
