Despite the unconstitutional manner in which the bill for the creation of first class chiefs was signed into to law and its attendant protests, the Benue state governor, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswam has finalised plans to install his elder brother, Chief Terkura Suswam Tingir as first class Chief on the 4th of May.
Five other political loyalists of the outgoing governor are also slated to benefit from the last minute gesture which has been widely condemned.
It was not clear as at the time of going to press but there are strong feelers that some concerned groups may be heading to court to challenge the action and stifle the governor's action.
According to our information pieced together, the plan has also been endorsed by the Chairman of the Benue Traditional Council, Orchivirigh Alfred Akawe Torkula, the Tor Tiv IV.
Sources in the outgoing government confirmed that Suswam is bent on installing the first class chiefs to ensure that his elder brother, Dr. Terkura Suswam is made the Tor Sankera, one of the proposed traditional chiefs.
The appointment which has received general public condemnation is said to be a means of settling his brother and some of his loyalists whom he fears will be out of power if the next government comes in.
This decision is even as the in-coming governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom had earlier last week warned against the installation of the proposed first class chiefs as well as the ongoing hurried employment of civil servants, citing poor economic status of the state.
It could be recalled that the proposal for the creation of first class chiefdoms had earlier drawn criticism from many quarters including his loyalists amongst whom were Prof. Iorwuese Hagher, the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) governorship Campaign organisation and Prof. Mvendaga Jibo who wrote protest letters to the the Benue State House of Assembly, advising against the creation.
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