Benue state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has given immediate orders concerning some actions taken by the previous administration.
The governor cancelled some of the last-minute appointments by the Samuel Ortom-led government which he succeded.
Governor Alia said all affected staff should revert to their former ranks, stations or offices with immediate effect.
Sir Tersoo Kula Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, made this known in a statement.
He said Governor Alia directed as follows:
- All recent appointments into the State Civil Service made by the outgone administration from May 2022 to date are hereby nullified with immediate effect.
- All those who have retired but are yet to vacate their offices or duty post either because of extension or contract appointment are to proceed on retirement forthwith.
- 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.
In reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party in the state has said the governor’s action is null and void.
The acting State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Isaac Mffo, called for a reversal of the directive, saying the civil servants were lawfully employed.
