By Kajo Martins, Makurdi

The special adviser to the Benue State governor on local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mr. Sam Odeh has backed the State House of Assembly on the suspension of the former chairman of kwande Local Government, Mr. Terlumun Akputu from office.

Reacting after the swearing-in of the acting chairman of Kwande, Mr. Victor Shaakaa at the Government House, Makurdi recently, the special adviser said, the former chairman had appeared three times before the House but could not defend the allegations of misconduct levelled against him by the council legislature.

Mr. Odeh said that the crisis which rocked the chairman and the legislative arm of government in Kwande was a clear case of democracy in action adding, that the suspension of Mr. Akputu was to serve as a deterrent to others.

The special adviser noted that Mr. Shaakaa would act as the chairman for one month with effect from 23rd July, 2008, calling for calm amongst the party members and entire people of the area. 

Administering the oath of office on the acting chairman, the deputy  governor of Benue State, Chief Steven Lawani explained that the Peoples Democratic Party won the twenty three council seats during the local government polls, adding that the four petitions before the tribunal over the conduct of the elections was disposed in favour of PDP.

The deputy governor recalled that, the conflict of official duties and separation of powers between the chairman and the legislature was affecting the smooth running of Kwande Local Government till the state House of Assembly intervened by recommending the suspension of Mr. Akputu from office.

It would be recalled that kwande legislative arm had written to the state House of Assembly alleging that the former chairman had refused to render accounts of income and expenditure to the House for scrutiny for the past four months while he embarked on spending spree.

They also accused him of arrogance and undermining their status as the legislative arm of government.