Samuel Ortom, the immediate past governor of Benue State on Saturday praised the senate for intervening to ensure the autonomy of the country’s third tier of government.
Ortom’s declaration follows a senate resolution calling for the withholding of statutory allocations to non-democratically elected local government bodies across the country.
The senate decision came in response to a proposal by Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, to challenge the democratic framework of Benue State’s local government administration system.
The former governor praised the Senate vote, saying it exhibited a resolute stance against dictatorial tendencies.
In a statement made on Saturday by his media aide, Terver Akase, the ex-governor described the Senate’s intervention as a crucial step that represents his dedication to respecting democratic ideals and ensuring the autonomy of local government administration throughout the country.
The statement partly reads, “Chief Ortom says the Senate’s decision is a proactive measure that also has the potency to deter any act that undermines the democratic rights of citizens and the principles of good governance.”
