Suswam gave the directive yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, when he held an emergency meeting with all the intended governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) constituting several members of the state executive council and permanent secretaries who have shown interest in the race.
A Government House source at the closed door meeting said the governor expressed disappointment at the manner commissioners in his cabinet and serving permanent secretaries and other civil servants were openly campaigning for the governorship position while still in service.
According to our source, "The governor, who was visibly angry with those concerned, openly told them that they were undermining his administration and the oath of office they swore to, by their acts.
"He told them that President Goodluck Jonathan was also not happy with the development in Benue State when it was brought to his attention, advising that they either vacate their positions in government on the stipulated date or be prepared to face an imminent sack.
In his response, the National President of the Agricultural and Allied Employees' Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) and the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Simon Anchaver, stated that the directive of the governor was timely and in good conscience.
Anchaver, who is also a governorship aspirant, alleged that "some of the appointees were using government funds to finance their campaigns which is repugnant to electoral rules and regulations."
Responding on behalf of the appointees, another aspirant and Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Eugene Aliegba, said they would consult and thereafter comply with the governor's directive.
Source: Thisday
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