Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has ordered the immediate nullification of all appointments made by his predecessor, Samuel Ortom into the Benue State Civil Service.

This order was contained in a press release on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula and released to newsmen in Makurdi.

The affected civil servants include those whose appointments were made between May 2022 and May 2023, as well as civil servants who have retired but had their tenures extended by the last administration.

Alia also reversed all postings made in the state’s civil service from October 2022, directing the affected staff to revert to their former ranks, stations and offices with immediate effect.

The press release reads in part:

“His Excellency the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has directed as follows:

1. All recent appointments into the State Civil Service made by the outgone administration from May 2022 to date are hereby nullified with immediate effect.

2. All those who have retired but are yet to vacate their offices or duty post either because of extension or contract appointment are to proceed on retirement forthwith.

3. All Civil Servants due for retirement but are yet to tender their letters of retirement or notice of retirement should do so forthwith and proceed on retirement immediately.

4. All Civil Servants and or persons appointed Permanent Secretaries from the month of January 2023 to date should revert to their previous positions forthwith.

5. All the postings and transfers made in the state civil service from October 2022, to date are hereby nullified. The affected staff should revert to their former ranks, or stations or offices with immediate effect.”

Though no reason was given by Governor Alia, it appears this action is aimed at sanitizing the civil service and streamlining the governance template in the State given the critical and strategic role of the Civil Service in the government’s policies and programmes.