The Governor of Benue state, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has annulled last minute appointments to the state civil service made by the immediate past Governor, Samuel Ortom.
Alia said, “All appointments into the state civil service made by the outgone administration from May 2022 to date are hereby nullified with immediate effect.”
Prior to the inauguration of the new governor, there was a heated exchange of words between the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) regarding last-minute policies implemented by the Ortom administration. These policies included activities such as the recruitment of workers, staff promotions, and contract awards.
The APC, represented by its Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, expressed concerns and accused the outgoing administration of creating obstacles that could hinder the smooth transition of power to the incoming government. On the other hand, the PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, defended the last-minute policies, asserting that Governor Ortom held the position until noon on May 29th and was within his rights to implement such actions.
But in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo, the governor while nullifying all the recruitments made by his predecessor also ordered all those who had retired but are yet to vacate their offices or duty post either because of extension or contract appointment to proceed on retirement forthwith.
The statement read in parts, “All Civil Servants due for retirement but are yet to tender their letters of retirement or notice of retirement should do so forthwith and proceed on retirement immediately.
“All Civil Servants and or persons appointed Permanent Secretaries from the month of January 2023 to date should revert to their previous positions forthwith.
“All the postings and transfers made in the state civil service from October 2022, to date are hereby nullified. The affected staff should revert to their former ranks, stations, or offices with immediate effect.”
