Benue: Why I accepted Suswam’s
SUVs gift – Orton


Governor-elect of Benue State, Dr. Samuel OrOrtomtom
has explained why he accepted the highly-criticized
and controversial SUVs gift from the outgoing
governor, Gabriel Suswam.
Ortom in a statement through his media adviser,
Mr Tahav Agerzua, disclosed that the new SUVs
were part of the transition process and would
remain property of the state government.
The statement read that “the attention of the
Benue State Governor-elect, Chief Dr Samuel
Ortom, has been drawn to concern raised by
major stakeholders and members of the public
about vehicles purportedly “given” to him by the
Benue State Governor, Dr Gabriel Suswam as a
birthday present yesterday”.
“Chief Dr Ortom expressed appreciation for the
concern which he interpreted rightly that the
people who gave him the mandate were watching
with keen interest and vigilance in order to ensure
that it was judiciously utilized.
“He wishes to however, correct the erroneous
impression that the Sports Utility Vehicles were
personal gifts presented to him and his Deputy,
Engr Benson Abounu as well as their spouses.
“The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade, and
Investment, stated that the vehicles were from
the official Benue State Government House fleet
procured for use by the incoming Governor and
his Deputy which Dr Suswam showed them in
case any was needed for use during the transition
period and that they remained government
property.
“He explained that the gesture was in consonance
with the culture in government circles where an
outgoing administration provided some logistics
for the incoming one at the state and federal
levels”.

The Governor-elect pointed out that at the Federal
level the President-elect, General Muhammadu
Buhari, had been moved to Defence House and
provided with several official vehicles and
enhanced security while a plane from the
Presidential fleet has been placed at his disposal
beside other arrangements.
Chief Dr Ortom stated that elsewhere elected
Chief Executives were also provided with
accommodation, security, and protocol
arrangements pending their swearing in, adding
that he had decided to remain in his private
residence and also make other personal sacrifices
in order to reduce the financial burden on the
state government.
He assured that he would never compromise the
mandate of the people for whatever reason
pointing out that he remained faithful to their
sensibilities and his pledge to be God fearing,
transparent, honest, accountable, selfless, just,
free and fair in his dealings with the people of the
state.
Chief Dr Ortom stressed that he had declined to
celebrate his 54th birthday with pomp on account
of the sober mood of the people brought about
by the harsh economic environment at this time
even though it came on the heels of his victory at
the governorship polls.
According to him, he had also declined
suggestions to take a vacation immediately after
the announcement of the results so as to take
time off to refresh but rather chosen to hit the
ground running by confronting challenges of
statecraft round the clock with no time even for
low key celebration of his birthday with his
family.
The Governor-elect said he spent his birthay
holding important discussions with the outgoing
Governor after which he held meetings to wind
down his campaign team and finetune his
administration’s blueprint after which he held
another meeting with one of the Catholic Bishops
in the state which lasted into the early hours of
the next day.

He said he had been in constant touch with the
outgoing Governor so that they could iron out
issues such as the setting up of the joint
transition committee, alleged recruitments and
replacements into the civil service, the planned
local government elections, as well as
appointments of new first class chiefs which he
suggested should be put on hold.

It is not a gift. It belongs to the people. He is not entitled to leave office with government property.

We don hear

M beginning 2 loose confidence in Ortom... I pray he dnt dine wit d devil himself (suSWINE)

U have no excuse... Ortom u re a thief!!!

[size=28pt]THIEF!![/size]

Sai Thief

ibedun:
[size=28pt]THIEF!![/size]

Buhari has a long way to go to stamp out corruption in APC.

I guess his explanation is tenable

crixtex:
U have no excuse... Ortom u re a thief!!!

Ortom was a big thief ......bt he is now a born again Christian... Gbam