Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has applauded the Senate for its intervention in ensuring the autonomy of the third tier of government across the country.
Ortom’s statement is coming on the heels of the resolution of the Senate, urging the federal government to withhold the statutory allocations to non-democratically elected local governments across the country.
The Senate resolution followed Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro’s motion on the affront on democratic structure in Benue State’s local government administration system.
Applauding the resolution of the Senate, the former governor said that the Senate had demonstrated a firm stance against dictatorial tendencies.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom described the intervention of the Senate as a significant move, which he said reflects a commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the autonomy of local government administration across the country
He noted that the unanimous resolution by the upper chamber of the National Assembly represents a crucial step in safeguarding the democratic process at the grassroots level.
“Chief Ortom says the Senate’s decision is a proactive measure which also has the potency to deter any act that undermines the democratic rights of citizens and the principles of good governance.
“By calling for the withholding of statutory allocations to non-democratically elected local government councils, the former Benue Governor states that the Senate has demonstrated a firm stance against dictatorial tendencies.
“He particularly commends Senator Abba Moro, for his proactive motion which drew urgent attention to the issue of the unconstitutionally sacked local government councils in Benue State,” the statement read in part.
