Governor of Taraba
State, Danbaba Suntai has resumed work. His deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar is no
longer acting but deputy governor, a section of the State House of Assembly
said on Tuesday.
State, Danbaba Suntai has resumed work. His deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar is no
longer acting but deputy governor, a section of the State House of Assembly
said on Tuesday.
Suntai returned into
the country on Sunday after spending 10 months in Germany and United States,
treating the injuries he sustained when a plane he piloted crashed near Yola,
Adamawa State on October 25, last year.
the country on Sunday after spending 10 months in Germany and United States,
treating the injuries he sustained when a plane he piloted crashed near Yola,
Adamawa State on October 25, last year.
On Monday he
transmitted a letter to the legislature, informing them of his readiness to
begin work.
transmitted a letter to the legislature, informing them of his readiness to
begin work.
The House Majority
Leader, Hon. Joseph Albasu who briefed reporters at the state Assembly Complex,
Jalingo, Tuesday said the House received the governor’s letter and gave
him the go ahead to take charge, having fulfilled the provision of the Nigerian
Constitution.
Leader, Hon. Joseph Albasu who briefed reporters at the state Assembly Complex,
Jalingo, Tuesday said the House received the governor’s letter and gave
him the go ahead to take charge, having fulfilled the provision of the Nigerian
Constitution.
Albasu is representing
Lau constituency in the Assembly. The Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa was not present
but Albasu said he was speaking on behalf of every member. With him at
the briefing were: Hon. Charles Maijankai (Karim-Lamido constituency), Ishaya
Gani (Wukari) and another member representing.
Lau constituency in the Assembly. The Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa was not present
but Albasu said he was speaking on behalf of every member. With him at
the briefing were: Hon. Charles Maijankai (Karim-Lamido constituency), Ishaya
Gani (Wukari) and another member representing.
The Taraba Assembly
also said Suntai was physically and mentally fit to govern.
also said Suntai was physically and mentally fit to govern.
But a section of the
House is alleging that the signature appended on the governor’s letter is not
Suntai’s.
House is alleging that the signature appended on the governor’s letter is not
Suntai’s.
The members, believed
to be pro-Umar also said they were stopped from seeing Suntai, “an indication
that he is not fit”.
to be pro-Umar also said they were stopped from seeing Suntai, “an indication
that he is not fit”.
But Albasu refuted the
allegation, citing mischief.
allegation, citing mischief.
“We saw Governor
Suntai in New York and now that he has returned, and judging from the
conversation we had with him, the governor is sound to resume work”, Albasu
said.
Suntai in New York and now that he has returned, and judging from the
conversation we had with him, the governor is sound to resume work”, Albasu
said.
Showing the letter to
journalists, the Majority Leader said the House has verified that the signature
is Suntai’s. Whoever that is denying is only bringing confusion.
journalists, the Majority Leader said the House has verified that the signature
is Suntai’s. Whoever that is denying is only bringing confusion.
“The governor could
have thump printed the letter, if he wished, provided forensic test shows he is
the one.”
have thump printed the letter, if he wished, provided forensic test shows he is
the one.”
The Majority Leader
said: “Pharm. Danbaba Suntai who is the Executive Governor of Taraba State has
transmitted a letter to this very House indicating his intention to resume work
and take over the functions of the state as the executive governor.
said: “Pharm. Danbaba Suntai who is the Executive Governor of Taraba State has
transmitted a letter to this very House indicating his intention to resume work
and take over the functions of the state as the executive governor.
“The letter was caused
and addressed to the Taraba State House of Assembly, and I, as the Majority
Leader being the Chairman of the business of this Assembly received the letter.
and addressed to the Taraba State House of Assembly, and I, as the Majority
Leader being the Chairman of the business of this Assembly received the letter.
“The Clerk of the
House acknowledged the letter and handed over to the Speaker of the Taraba
State House of Assembly Hon. Haruna Tsokwa.
House acknowledged the letter and handed over to the Speaker of the Taraba
State House of Assembly Hon. Haruna Tsokwa.
“Governor Suntai has
complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, in Section 190(2)”.
complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, in Section 190(2)”.
The other group wants
Suntai to appear before the House.
Suntai to appear before the House.
But the House majority
leader yesterday maintained that the Constitution does not compel a governor to
appear before the house on the matter in contention.
leader yesterday maintained that the Constitution does not compel a governor to
appear before the house on the matter in contention.
“The governor can even
transmit a letter in soft copy via e-mail to the House. But Suntai went a step
further to transmit a letter to us in hard copy, so what are those mischief
makers talking about?
transmit a letter in soft copy via e-mail to the House. But Suntai went a step
further to transmit a letter to us in hard copy, so what are those mischief
makers talking about?
He said it is even against
the Constitution for the House to hold plenary on the matter.
the Constitution for the House to hold plenary on the matter.
“This issue is not a
debative matter anywhere in the worid. Governor Suntai has done exactly what
the Constitution requires him to do”, he said.
debative matter anywhere in the worid. Governor Suntai has done exactly what
the Constitution requires him to do”, he said.
Source: The Nation
