Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue on Monday restated his determination to probe the administration of his immediate predecessor, Gabriel Suswam.

Mr. Ortom, who announced this in Makurdi while swearing in three new Special Advisers, said probing Mr. Suswam was one of his responsibilities to the people of the state.

According to the governor, the people of Benue voted him into office because of his pledge to correct all the wrongs of Suswam’s administration.

“Those who stole public funds must return it or risk going to jail; government has overwhelming evidence against those indicted in the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the state,” he said.

“Probing the past administration is part of my responsibility to Benue people; the people voted me because of my pledge to correct all the wrongs in the administration of Suswam.

“We must recover all stolen funds in Benue and develop the state with it. We have a lot of evidence against those indicted in the report of the judicial commission of inquiry.

“During my campaign, I told the people that I was going to check and boldly correct all the wrongs in Suswam’s administration.

“My actions in office will determine whether I will win a second tenure or not; 2019 will take care of itself,” he said.

Mr. Ortom urged the new advisers to steer clear of public funds and dare not to convert funds meant for the execution of projects for service delivery and the people’s welfare to private use.

“We must be conscious that by probing the previous administration today, ours shall be probed tomorrow,” he stated.

The new advisers are Matthew Mnyam, Benjamin Ashaver and Richard Gbaden. They bring the total of advisers to the governor to 20.

(NAN)