By Nurat Uthman
Governor Hyacinth Alia has appointed and sworn-in Mr. Richard Tombuwua as the new Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC.
The Governor who administered the oath on the appointee weekend in Makurdi charged him to be apolitical and impartial in the discharge of his duties.
The appointment of Mr. Tombuwua came less than 48 hours after the Benue State House of Assembly recommended the sack of the former Chairman, Dr. John Chen for alleged incompetence.
The Governor enjoined the appointee to take the new assignment as a clarion call to offer a great service to the state and not dabble into politics.
He urged him to uphold integrity and honesty as well as ensure that his services “are of tremendous success to all political parties in the state.”
The Governor who described the new BSIEC Chairman as a square peg in a square hole, urged him to remain accountable and steadfast and eschew self-interest.
He noted the new Chairman’s qualities, citing his level of integrity, fairness and the many years of professionalism he had invested towards the good of the state, as “some of the qualities the administration and the state require at this time.”
Governor Alia also lauded the Organized Labour, groups and the people of the state for heeding his call to shun the nationwide protest, assuring that he would continue to do more for the state.
Responding, the new BSIEC Chairman promised to put in his best to succeed in the assignment in order to do the people of the state proud.
