Governor Ortom names Veronica Onyeke as Benue State's first ever female head of service

BENUE State governor Samuel Ortom has appointed Veronica Onyeke as the new head of service in what marks the first time a woman is occupying such an exalted office in the history of the state.

Mrs Onyeke, who is from Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state, was until her elevation the permanent secretary in the office of the deputy governor. She takes over from Engineer George Ede, who is to proceed on retirement after a lengthy career in the Benue State civil service.

Since Benue State was created in 1976, Mrs Onyeke is the first female substantive Head of Service to have been appointed buy a governor. Critics of Governor Ortom are likely to condemn the move as political, saying it is aimed at wooing female voters ahead of next year's gubernatorial elections.

First elected in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Ortom recently defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is due to stand as a PDP candidate in next February's election as he seeks a second term

Already, Governor Ortom has picked up the PDP's expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the 2019 Benue State governorship election. After picking up the forms, the governor thanked the leadership and members of PDP for the opportunity given him to seek the party’s ticket.