Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State

The Benue Government has slated the first week of February for the selection of third and first class chiefs in the Idoma speaking Benue South Senatorial district.

Gov. Samuel Ortom dropped the hint on Monday in Makurdi during a meeting with elders and stakeholders from zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appointment of those categories of chiefs has being completed in the Tiv areas.

The governor, however, said the delay in similar action in Benue South was as a result of  request by the Idoma Paramount Ruler for time to guarantee effective consultations.

Ortom urged the stakeholders to commence mock process in the selection of the chiefs.

He enjoined the stakeholders to be guided by the provisions of the Chieftaincy Law.

The governor said the elders and stakeholders should endeavour to employ consensus process in picking the candidates, but could resort to voting when such procedure failed.

He urged those saddled with the responsibility to midwife the process to be honest, truthful and to embark on free, fair and credible process.

The governor said he had no interest in any candidate, adding that the era of influencing leaders for the people were gone.

In his remarks, the Och’Idoma,  Elias Ikoyi Obekpa said he would ensure the chieftaincy law was strictly complied with.

“ Like the governor, I also have no anointed candidates. The right thing is to allow aspirants to lobby kingmakers instead,’’ the paramount ruler said. (NAN)