Benue Sacks Traditional Ruler Over Support For APC

Benue State government yesterday deposed the chairman of Gwer West Traditional Rulers Council, the Ter Tyoshin, His Royal Highness, Chief Ayua Abomtse. The traditional ruler, according to sources, was deposed because of his favourable disposition towards the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded general elections. Before his deposition, Chief Abomtse was given matching orders to quit the government guest house he was occupying in Makurdi shortly after the April 11 governorship election. The letter conveying Abomtse’s sack which was signed by the
permanent secretary of the state Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Asen Sambe, on behalf of the special adviser to the governor in the bureau, Mr Solomon Wombo, stated that “the traditional ruler was deposed for gross misconduct and embarrassment to the Tiv traditional council.'' According to the letter entitled ‘Appointment of New Ter Nagi’ and addressed to Chief Edwin Nienge, stated thus: “Following the deposition of Ter Nagi 11, Chief Ayua D Abomtse by government over acts gross misconduct and embarrassment to the Tiv Area Traditional Council, I am directed to inform you that government has approved your appointment as acting Ter Nagi with immediate effect until a new substantive Ter Nagi is selected.'' In a swift reaction, Chief Abomtse said that his travail was as a result of the fact that he voted for Buhari and Ortom in the just concluded general elections. “I was ejected from the guest house shortly after April 11 governorship election. I did not work for opposition I only voted Buhari and Ortom during the elections and my vote multiplied,” Abomtse maintained. Meamwhile, youths in Gboko were said to have protested the move by the state government to appoint some persons as first class chiefs in Tivland. The youths who carried placards reading “Suswam don’t create problem for Ortom”, “what we want is payment of workers’ salaries not imposition of first class chiefs”, among others also bemoaned the sack of Abomtse.
Source: Nigerian Pilot