By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
BENUE State government has stated that it will not hand over to the team constituted by the Governor-elect, Rev. Hyacinth Alia as it is unconstitutional and an aberration.
The government in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN on Wednesday, stated that the Team had in a statement accused the Transition Committee constituted by the Governor of delaying handing over notes to it.
The Team also demanded for a comprehensive handover notes covering the period of the outgoing administration (2015-2023), for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, including the debt profile and state of finances of the state.
“It must be stated in unequivocal terms that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not provide for a parallel government in any state. 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 demand made by the team of the Governor-elect is therefore unconstitutional and an aberration.
“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.
“We expect the team of the incoming Governor to cooperate with the outgoing administration for a smooth transition of power, instead of going to the press to raise unfounded alarms,” Prof. Ijohor further stated.
