BENUE News

07/02/2024

Benue blood ❣️❣️ gave his best! 👌👌💪💪💪💪

God bless you Moses Simon for giving back to your nation. 🙏🙏

We love and Celebrate you 🙇🙇

Keep making Benue proud 💪👌

07/02/2024

Aye!

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is doubtful for the 2023 AFCON semi-final match against South Africa.

Nigeria will face the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday and the team will fly to the venue tonight by 10 pm.

According to a statement from the Super Eagles media, Osimhen has an abdominal discomfort that needs monitoring.

The Napoli striker will stay back in Abdijan for close watch by the team medical.

Abidjan has been the base for the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Official statement from the media officer of the Super Eagles reads:

“We will fly from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10 pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight.

“Victor Osimhen will not join us on this trip as a result of an abdominal discomfort.

“Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him.

“If cleared by tomorrow morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5pm.”

This means Osimhen will require a late fitness test to determine if he will play the semi-final match.

South Africans are praying strongly that he should not be fit for tommorow's encounter with them.

Let's join our faith in prayers for Victor Osimhen and Nigeria, that he gets well soon and that Nigeria will win against South Africa 🙏🙏🙇🙇.

07/11/2023

NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Bayelsa United 1- 2 Lobi Stars

Congratulations to the Executive Governor of Benue State His Excellency, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

07/11/2023

BREAKING: Doctors Amputate Mr Ibu's Leg To Keep Him Alive

A new statement from the family of actor John Okafor, aka Mr Ibu, disclosed that one of his legs has been amputated to keep him alive.

News surfaced in October that the veteran actor was ill and required financial assistance to aid in his treatment.

In the statement shared on the actor's Instagram page Monday, it was revealed the actor had undergone seven successful surgeries, including the amputation of one leg, in a bid to keep him alive.

The statement read, "Good afternoon, Nigerians. We want to appreciate everyone who has come through for our dad; saying we are grateful is an understatement, and only the good Lord can thank you all enough for every help you've rendered.

"As of 1 pm, noon today, Daddy has gone through 7 successful surgeries, but to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery, one of his legs had to be amputated.

"This development has been hard on us all, but we've had to accept it as Daddy's new reality to keep him alive.

"Please, we are still soliciting support from well-meaning Nigerians as, at this stage, Daddy is still very delicate, and he needs all the help he can get.

"Thank you, everyone, the Okafor family is grateful and we don't take you for granted. In due time, Daddy will personally acknowledge everyone who supported him during this period as soon as he's stable."

Credit: Instagram | realmribu

BENUE News

01/11/2023

Cartoon Flakes

01/11/2023

ALIA SENDS OUT BENUE INDIGENES FOR CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING IN CHINA.

The Executive Governor of Benue State His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s desire to develop human capacity has carefully selected some brilliant fellows to embark on an intensive training course in the land of the Great Wall Beijing - China.

The Special Adviser on International investment, Hon. Addingi Alex saw the first set of three batches left Abuja international airport yesterday for Beijing . The two weeks intensive program will begin on the 2nd November.
THE PROGRAM WILL BE ON INNOVATION AND BUSINESS STARTUP CAPACITY BUILDING FOR YOUTH IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (PHASE III)

It is his Excellency's strong desire to achieve at least 70% literacy is a short while.

Comr Asortar James Asortar
SA on Social Media to the Benue State Governor

31/10/2023

💥BREAKING

PDP Governors Has Appreciated President Tinubu's Intervention To Reconcile Governor Sim Fubara And FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

●This Was After An Emergency Meeting Held In Asokoro, Abuja.

31/10/2023

ENSURE HIGH QUALITY WORK...Hon Tiza charges

31st October, 2023

In a resolute efforts towards ensuring that quality work is achieved, the Commissioner for Works and Housing, Hon Imojime Isaac Orya Tiza Tiza embarked on an overhaul supervision of the ongoing construction on streets within makurdi.

Hon Tiza who was conducted round by the head of Triacta Constructions Limited, expressed great satisfaction with the work carried out. He urged the contractor to keep to timeframe and ensure that high quality work is maintained.

In the words of Mrs Opi Monica, resident of Kanshio on the Navy Barracks road; "its over three years that our car has been looked inside the gate without any movement, the children practically swims in the water while going to school". At the commencement of this road, there is a great relieve to the community. Thank you commissioner, I must confess hat we are very happy with Fr. Alia's administration, she added.

Matthew Yisa who appreciated the governor through the Works commissioner for giving priority attention to their sufferings, lamented on the need to address the root cause of the waters that has caused devastating effects in the community.

He stated that, people have bought and built houses on the original water channel which led to the diversion of the water into the community that has caused great damage to the road rendering it impassable.

The road construction sites supervised included Pever agenga, Tyagher Gbaa, Masekaven Dyege, David Jebe streets and Navy Barracks Road, Kanshio.

Earlier, the commissioner joined other government functionaries at the Benue Investment and Property Company BIPC office to honor Dr Raymond Asemakaha's official taking over as the new Managing Director.

Civir Terhemba Injo Jabi
Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Honorable Commissioner for Works and Housing.

31/10/2023

31/10/2023

PHOTO OF THE DAY

The Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia and the Honourable Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), His Excellency, Sen. Dr George Akume met earlier today in Abuja.

Great leaders with smiling faces to move the state forward.

Those promoting disunity are enemies of our dear state

31/10/2023

ALIA SOLICITS ARMY COLLABORATION ON SECURITY IN BENUE

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023.

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has called on the Nigerian Army to turn its focus on Benue State to help secure the Food Basket of the Nation.

The Governor made the call today, Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 during a courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in his office, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

He said the once very peaceful state is at the moment besieged by criminals ranging from murderous armed herders, bandits and local gangsters.

He said, "A week hardly passes without reports of two, three or more persons being killed in the villages, mostly on their farms by armed herders.

"Most of these are not reported in the media".

He decried lack of manpower for other formations operating within the state, including Operation Whirlstroke and the 401 Special Forces Brigade, adding that if properly equipped, the men of the formations may begin to enter the hinterlands to be able to tackle the menace and will not only be standing on the roads as it is the practice presently.

He called for the establishment of Force Operation Bases in Anyiin, Naka, Ukum, Agatu, Udei and Gbajimba.

In his response, the COAS stated that as one who has served in the state for nine years, he has a good understanding of the security situation of the state.

"In my capacity as COAS, I do receive on a daily basis security reports both formal and informal from Benue State.

He promised that the Nigerian Army will turn it's attention to Benue, especially now that the dry season is about setting in, adding that it is the time that the state usually witness a lot of crisis.

Sir Tersoo Kula,
Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Benue State

31/10/2023

BENUE LINKS
👇
MAKURDI TO ZAKI BIAM
2100

31/10/2023

BENUE LINKS
MAKURDI TO ADIKPO is ₦2500 by Small Vehicle and ₦2000 by Bus @ the Main Park, Opposite Living Faith Church, Wurukum, Makurdi.

31/10/2023

BENUE LINKS
👇
MAKURDI TO OJU is #3000 @ Small Park before AYM Shafa filling Station, Wurukum, Makurdi.

31/10/2023

BENUE LINKS
👇
MAKURDI TO OTUKPO #1500 @ Small Park before AYM Shafa filling Station, Wurukum, Makurdi.

31/10/2023

BENUE LINKS
Katsina-Ala to Makurdi is ₦2000 only
Park is at Tipper garage, beside Pleasure travels.

31/10/2023

Ex-Benue LG Boss Erukaa Dies In Kidnappers’ Custody

The kidnapped octogenarian and pioneer Ukum Local Government Area chairman in 1981 Raymond Erukaa has died in captivity after he was kidnapped from his home at Tse-Erukaa, in Zaki Biam, on the 23rd of September 2023.

Confirming the sad passing of the 81-year-old elder state man, the eldest surviving son of the deceased Charles Erukaa, a former news anchor with Channels Television said the family got wind of his passing on the 27th of October, 2023.

Narrating the harrowing experience of his late father’s ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers and the subsequent hostage-taking of his cousin Ben Jones Iorbee Erukaa who delivered the first one million naira ransom by the kidnappers, Charles lamented how his father was held till his death by the kidnappers after thirty-four days for someone his age.

He noted that the kidnappers first demanded N12m in their first contact with the family and later reduced it to N10m. But soon came down to N5m and when his cousin Iorbee Erukaa went with the first one million naira ransom, he was held hostage along with his father, the late Raymond Washima Erukaa until an additional one million naira was paid bringing the total sum to two million naira, with a promise to release both men, only for his cousin Iorbee to be released alone.

“It wasn’t until the night of Saturday, October 27th, 2023 that we received words that my father had died in captivity,” he said.

“In total, the family paid a ransom of Two million Naira for the release of my father from captivity, it also noted worthy that my father was abducted exactly twenty-four hours before the abduction of the Benue State commissioner for information and culture Mister Matthew Abo who was also kidnapped in Ukum local government area of the state.”

At the time of filing this report, Charles Erukaa said the family is still investigating the general area with a view to recovering his body four days after news of his death was received, hoping to give their late father a befitting burial.

Meanwhile, the police in Benue State are yet to issue any statement confirming the death.

The Benue State Government which issued a statement when Erukaa was kidnapped thirty-seven days ago has also not commented on the matter.

31/10/2023

Ge***al Theft: Benue Police Warns Against False Alarm, Mob Actions

Benue State Police Command has observed the increasing number of cases of false alarm of ge***al theft and the barbaric/ ignorant behaviour of some youths in reaction to this alarm.

The most recent case been that of the pastor and his member which has no complainant until now but victims have suffered various degrees of injuries and the video is making rounds on social media.

The command in a statement issued by SP Sewuese Anene says, "Over the years these cases have been reported but medical and physical examination has shown that it is not true.

"Complainants have also come to realise that they have their ge***als intact. This is obviously a mischievous plan to cause tention.

"Traditional rulers, religious leaders, Parents, Teachers and other stakeholders are advised to warn and educate their children/wards against such mob actions that have caused innocent people so much pain.

"The command also warns those people who take laws into their hands that the command will deal decisively with them in accordance with the laws.'

31/10/2023

💥BREAKING

The Federal Executive Council Has Made The Following Approvals :

●N2.17trn Supplimentary Budget.

●N210bn For Wage Award.

●N400bn For Cash Transfer To Venerable Households.

●N200bn For Seed And Agricultural Inputs And Equipments.

●N100bn For Projects In Abuja.

●N604bn For National Security And Defence .

●N300bn For The Maintenance Of Bridges Across Nigeria.

●N8bn For Ministry Of Marine And Blue Economy And Other New Ministries.

●N18bn For The Conduct Of Elections In Kogi, Bayelsa And Imo.

27/10/2023

Benue Chiefs Allocate Land For Resettlement of IDPs

Traditional rulers in Kwande and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State have donated land for construction of shelter for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The development follows joint visit by officials of the Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees and IDPs and officials of the Benue State Government.

Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, had promised during campaigns that he will ensure resettlement of IDPs once elected as governor. And few days ago, the governor met President Bola Tinubu, during which he briefed the president about state of affairs in his state, including his resettlement plan.

Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in the state, Aondowase Kunde, says the joint visit to Kwande and Logo LGAs is a demonstration of the commitment of President Tinubu, to supporting the resettlement plan of the Benue State Government.

The commissioner urged traditional rulers in the affected areas to give maximum cooperation and donate land to develop shelter for IDPs. He emphasised that returning the people home is a process and providing shelter is top.

In Kwande, four council wards are affected while five are affected in Logo LGA. Large expanse of land was donated in Kwande at Waya and Anyiase for the resettlement plan while in Logo, land was allocated at Azera and Anyiin.

Mue Ter Ichôngo in the Kwande Area Traditional Council, His Royal Highness Simon Baver and Mue Ter Ipusu in the Logo Area Traditional Council, His Royal Highness Enoch Iorhuna, respectively said they welcome the plan to resettle their displaced ones.

Both say they had been looking forward to when their people displaced due to attacks by armed wing of cattle owners will go home and commended Governor Alia for working to actualising his "campaign promise."

Representative of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees and IDPs, Chidimma Makuachukwu, told the chiefs that the visit was to identify areas where shelter will be provided for the displaced.

She noted that the president is concerned about the plight of the IDPs and provision of shelter is the first step among other majors in place by the Tinubu administration to impact the people of need.

According to Chidimma, the paramount thing at the moment is building homes for the displaced in a secured environment where it will be easier to provide them with facility for education, clinic, electricity and market.

While commending Governor Alia for recognising the need to resettle the IDPs, Chidimma thanked the chiefs for allocating land for the project. She assured that sooner than later, actual construction work will commence at the designated sites.

Meanwhile the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorapuu, says his agency in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has commenced biometric verification of IDPs, for ease of allocation of homes.

Sir Tersoo Kula
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State.

27/10/2023

Day Six of the training of participants for Alia Care Program took place in Otukpo Local Government Area. Participants were drawn from Otukpo Ohimini federal constituency.

27/10/2023

We are sorry for not bringing new updates in Benue state 🙏
We are fully back

27/10/2023

Davido Breaks Silence On Dammy Krane's Debt Allegations

Award-winning music star, Davido, has responded to his colleague, Oyindamola Emmanuel, popularly known as Dammy Krane regarding the allegations of unpaid debts, stating that he had never received compensation for the three verses he contributed to Dammy Krane's song nine years ago.

Dammy Krane in a post on Tuesday claimed that Davido owed him for their successful collaboration on the song "Pere" and appealed to the musician to settle the debt, citing his daughter's impending school fees as the reason.

Responding to the allegations on Friday, Davido, in a post on X, pointed out that he had never received compensation for the three verses he contributed to Dammy Krane's song nine years ago.

Davido also recalled the times he provided shelter and sustenance to Dammy Krane in Atlanta when the latter was homeless.

Davido said, “I never got paid for that also my 3 verses I’ve gifted you all your dead career… .. oh yea plus my royalties, we charge now so that’s about $ 150k x3 a verse.. also house rent and food when u stayed in my house in Atlanta when you were homeless.”

Credit: X | davido
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05/07/2023

Embattled LG Chairmen Shun Benue Assembly’s Probe Panel

Embattled chairmen of some local government areas in Benue State expected to appear before the house of assembly ad hoc committee investigating financial misappropriations in all the 23 local councils of the state failed to show up.

The 23 council chairmen were earlier suspended by the state government to pave the way for their probe by the house.

The assembly had drawn a timetable to quiz at least three of the chairmen on a daily basis.

But the suspended chairmen of Guma LGA, Michael Uba; his counterpart from Katsina Ala, Alfred Atera, and Gboko’s Isaac Mtom on Tuesday failed to appear before the committee.

Our correspondent reports that only treasurers of the respective councils showed up to be grilled after the Peter Ipusu-led three-man panel waited for several hours for the three council chairmen, who did not turn up as scheduled.

Ipusu’s led committee nevertheless received financial documents from treasurers of the councils as they took their turns to explain incomes and expenditures between June, 2022 and June 2023.

The treasurer of Guma LGA, Charles Iordye, thereafter told journalists that he tendered all the bank statements and financial records as requested by the committee.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the panel said his committee has commenced its investigation in earnest with an opportunity for the suspended chairmen to clear any doubts about their councils’ financial irregularities within the period under review.

01/07/2023

Benue will resettle IDPs after rainy season, says speaker

The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Aondona Dajoh, says plans are underway to relocate the Internally Displaced Persons in the state to their ancestral homes after the rainy season.
Dajoh, speaking on Friday while inspecting the headquarters and warehouse of the State Emergency Management Agency in Makurdi, the state capital, said the relocation might not be possible during the rainy season because the government needed to provide security, shelter and other amenities before relocating them.
He stated, “We are working on it and we are on the same page with the governor but if you ask the people to go back now, where will they stay.
“They need shelter, security and we are working towards that direction because you don’t need to just push people back to where they are not secure and they don’t have roofs over their heads.”
He appealed to the displaced persons to exercise patience, while assuring them that help was on the way. He noted that it became imperative for him to embark on the visit following the disclosure by the acting Executive Secretary, James Iorpuu, that there was nothing to feed the IDPs.

The speaker expressed concern that the agency whose mandate was to assist Benue people in their worst moments particularly during disasters had been reduced to nothing.
He added, “During the recent crisis in Ikpayongo, Gwer East Local Government, I called the SEMA acting Executive Secretary to arrange relief materials for the displaced persons but he said there was nothing in the warehouse and I am here to see things for myself. It is quite unfortunate that this place, which is supposed to be an emergency unit that will respond to issues day and night, has nothing in the store.”

He promised to bring the matter to the attention of the governor for urgent intervention.

Iorpuu, who commended the speaker for the visit, said according to the data he inherited, there were over 2.1 million IDPs in the state. He, however, said he was working to authenticate the data.

27/06/2023

Benue workers get salary alerts, hail gov

Reprieve came the way of civil servants in Benue State as the Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, fulfilled his promise to commence payment of salary as from June 25, 2023.

Workers in Benue State last received salary in November, 2022, while they were also owed arrears of five months in 2017 which the then governor, Samuel Ortom, promised to pay but defaulted.

The backlog of salary arrears was one of the factors responsible for the loss of Ortom-led Peoples Democratic Party in the last general elections.

Alia had, in his Democracy Day broadcast, promised to start payment of salary as from June 25.

A cross-section of workers, who spoke to our correspondent on Monday, expressed joy and commended the governor for honouring his words.

A staff member in the Ministry of Works, Tony Msugh,said, “I thank the governor for fulfilling his promise. Do you know that people started receiving alert since Sunday, which some of us never expected?

“Our prayer is that the state should not have the kind of leader we had in the past eight years.”

The Benue State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Terungwa Igbe, also hailed the governor for honouring his words.

“We want to thank His Excellency for keeping his promise,” the labour leader said in an interview with our correspondent.

Also, a worker in the Local Government Service Commission, Bernard Achue, commended the governor for honouring his promise to pay.

“At the time he made the promise during his broadcast on June 12 that workers would begin to receive alert as from June 25, some of us did not take it seriously, especially when the day fell on Sunday.

“Surprisingly, some workers actually started receiving alert yesterday (Sunday) but I received mine this (Monday) morning. I thank God for giving us a man of God and I pray he continues like this.

“You may not understand the reason we are so happy. Many people have lost their lives due to lack of money to go to hospital,” Achua said.

27/06/2023

Suspended Benue LG chairmen back down, stay away from office

The suspended local 23 government chairmen in Benue State stayed away from their offices on Monday contrary to their vow not to recognise their suspension by state House of Assembly.

The Assembly had last week recommended the suspension of the LG chairmen and councillors to Governor Hyancinth Alia, asking that they should be replaced with with caretaker committees.

The Assembly said the suspension of the LG chairmen was to pave the way for a probe of the allegation that they “connived with the executive councils to mismanage public funds put in their trust.”

But reacting to the suspension at the weekend,the Benue State Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Michael Uba, said the LG chairmen did not recognise the suspension and would resume at their offices on Monday.

On Sunday, the state governor, Alia, advised the LG chairmen to respect the law of the land, noting that their suspension by the Assembly was lawful, while reminding them that they lack immunity.

Our correspondent who visited Makurdi Local Government secretariat observed that neither the chairman nor the councillors were at the secretariat.

Also checks by our correspondent indicated that the chairman of Logo, Guma, Ado, and Otukpo local governments stayed away from their offices.

Our correspondent learnt that the council chairmen rather gathered in Makurdi, the capital city on Monday to strategise on the next move since the state government insisted on the suspension.

When contacted on phone by correspondent, two of the council chairmen,James Oche of Ado LGA; and Amina Audu of Okpokwu LGA, insisted that they had not vacated office.

They insisted that they were elected into office for a two-year tenure which had not lapsed.

The Benue State ALGON Chairman, who is also the Chairman, Guma LGA, Uba, said, “We are taking legal means to solve our problem. Instead of violent ways, we have decided to ressort to legal process.

“I have not handed over to the DGSA and the security in the area is calm. No trouble at all. The DGSA ideally is the next person to me. If I am not around he takes care of the council. I did not hand over the vehicle because they have given us waiver; there is no need.”

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Julius Okoro, may have intervened in the matter.

But when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, said she was not aware of any intervention by her boss

25/06/2023

Suspended council chairs acting like they have immunity — Benue gov

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has disclosed that the state’s decision to suspend council chairmen and their councillors stands despite threats by the chairmen not to vacate their offices.

The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, in a statement issued on Sunday, expressed shock that the suspended chairmen were acting as if they had ‘political immunity’.

The governor denied knowledge of the court judgement being brandished by the suspended council chairmen.

Recall that the 23 council chairmen had on Saturday dared the state government to continue in office, not minding their indefinite suspension.

Addressing journalists on Saturday at the Peoples Democratic Party secretariat, the state chairman of the Association of Local Government, Mike Uba, described their suspension as illegal and vowed not to heed the directive.

But reacting to their threat, Governor Alia, said he was surprised that the council chairmen had chosen to react this way and insisted that the chairmen had only been suspended from office, to pave the way for a seamless investigation, not sacked.

According to the statement, the media aide said that the governor acted on the correspondence from the State Assembly that recommended the suspension of the council chairmen, pending when they will complete their investigations into cases of corruption alleged to have been committed by them.

The governor denied knowledge of any court judgement, adding, ‘Even if there is any, it is merely speculative, especially that a cause of action has not arisen as at the time the chairmen are talking about a court order or judgement.

“The governor is a man who obeys the law; he will never do anything to breach a court order. So, even if there exists a court order not to sack council chairmen, at least there is none barring anyone from investigating them.

“But are they insulated from appropriate sanctions by the extant constitutional provisions? They should come to equity with clean hands,” he wondered.

He queried further, “Perhaps, they may have been misled into assuming that they are entitled to political immunity as ‘elected’ council chairmen”.

He urged the council chairmen to be patient, as they will be afforded the opportunity to defend themselves before the House of Assembly committee, stating that those who will not be found guilty of the charges will be reinstated, insisting that they remain suspended from office pending the outcome of the investigation

24/06/2023

Benue Council Chairmen only Suspended to pave way for investigation- Alia

24th June, 2023

Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has debunked accusations from council chairmen in the state that he has sacked them from office.

The governor stated this in an interview on Saturday, while reaponding to a press conference organized by the suspended council chairmen, who accused him of sacking them from office despite a subsisting court order barring their sack.

Recall that the Benue State House of Assembly had during plenary session on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, recommended for the suspension of all the 23 local government chairmen as well as their various legislative arms over corruption allegations.

The recommendations were upheld by the state executive and the chairmen directed to handover their offices to the various DGSAs of their councils.

However, in reaction to the governor's directive, the council chairmen had during a press conference on Saturday, June 24,2023, accused governor Alia of of flouting a court judgement, going ahead to sack them from office.

But speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor said he was surprised that the council chairmen have chosen to react this way, insisting that they have only been suspended from office, to pave way for a seamless investigation, not sacked.

He stated that the Governor merely acted on the correspondence from the State Assembly which recommended suspension of the council chairmen, pending when they will complete their investigations into cases of corruption alleged to have committed by them.

He denied knowledge of any court judgment saying even if there is any, it was merely speculative, especially that a cause of action had not arisen as at the time the chairmen are talking about a court order or judgement.

"The Governor is a man who obeys the law; he will never do anything to breach a court order. So, even if there exist a court order not to sack council chairmen, at least there is none barring anyone from investigating them".

"But are they really insulated from appropriate sanctions by the extant constitutional provisions? They should come to equity with clean hands", he wondered.

He querried further that, "Perhaps, they may have been misled into assuming that they are entitled to political immunity as ‘elected’ council chairmen".

He urged the council chairmen to be patient, as they will be availed the opportunity to defend themselves before the House of Assembly committee, stating that those who will not be found guilty of the charges will be reinstated, insisting that they remain suspended from office, pending the outcome of the investigation.

From CPS Office.