Pin It
Thursday 28th March 2024,
Hope for Nigeria

Plot to impeach Taraba acting gov thickens •We met Suntai in very bad state –Legislator •No to govt by proxy –Tukur

Plot to impeach Taraba acting gov thickens

FOLLOWING the resolution by members of Taraba State House of Assembly that the acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, should continue in office, there are strong indications that loyalists of the ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai are plotting to remove the acting governor.

 

Insiders within the governor’s camp disclosed that the plot is already concluded and that implementation is already underway. A team is reported to have been set up to source for lawmakers and break the camp of the 16 legislators supporting the speaker.

 

A source told Saturday Tribune that a very influential figure is bankrolling the plot, and he is said to have vowed to pursue the agenda with all resources at his disposal.

 

“They are looking for lawmakers to engage and conscript into their plot. For them to realise their plan, they need to get more than half of those presently with the Speaker. The Speaker now has two-third of the members,” the source said.

 

Those behind the plot are said to have reached out to the presidency, but have so far not secured the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is reported to have vowed to stay off the crisis.

 

A source in the know of the unfolding drama hinted that the impeachment plotters have also secured the support of two north-central governors. The governors, the source said, have also failed so far to convince the president to deploy federal support for the project.

 

It was learnt that the president was wary of public opinion which is perceived to be heavily tilted against Suntai and his loyalists. He is also said to have turned down appeal for presidential backing from some Middle Belt leaders.

 

But the 16 legislators behind the Speaker are said to have resolved to stand by their resolution to ask the acting governor to continue in office.

 

Commenting on the state of the governor’s health, a member of the Taraba State Assembly, Hon. Aminu Umar, said Governor Danbaba Suntai needs immediate help, instead of the current political tool his loyalists are turning him into.

 

Speaking on the visit of the lawmakers to the governor, Umar said “Governor Suntai is in very bad state, and deserves immediate medical treatment before his situation degenerates further.

 

“We wept for the governor. He could not recognise any of us. There was no conversation in the real sense of the word. What Nigerians saw when he arrived was a child’s play. That was why we the lawmakers were barred from seeing him at the airport and later when we requested to see him.

 

“There was no coordinated discussion during the meeting, and (we) concluded that the man needs our help. That is why we passed that resolution. We have nothing against Suntai, but we see that he needs to be rescued from the cabal holding him hostage. He needs help very urgently.

 

“The situation was so bad that he could not hold any conversation, among many other incapabilities. We will all give account of our deeds before God. Those trying to cover him should know that Nigerians saw everything live. He should go abroad for medical treatment,” ,” the lawmaker said.

 

He condemned attempts to hide under Section 190 of the constitution.

 

He said: “If somebody cannot interact with the people, how can he claim to be working on their behalf? We know we should be fair to the governor. Yes, we are doing that, but the fate of one man cannot supersede the interest of over three million Tarabans.

 

“The constitution stipulates participation of the people in how they are governed. The people said they want to see their governor and yet some people are hoarding him from the people he is supposed to rule over. If the man is well, why are they hiding him from addressing the people?” he said.

 

Also, the crisis in the state over the fitness or otherwise of Suntai to resume duties has crept into the National Assembly as five out of the nine members of the state’s caucus at the National Assembly on Friday back the House of Assembly members’ resolution which asked the ailing governor to return to hospital for medical attention.

 

They maintained that the governor’s deputy, Garba Umar, remained the acting governor of the state.

 

Addressing newsmen at the National Assembly, Senator Abubakar Umar Tutare, who led four other members of the House of Representatives (House Whip, Honourable Isyaka Bawa; Ibrahim El-Sudi, Aminu Ibrahim Malle and Honourable Jerry Manwe), urged the acting governor to continue with the governance of the state pending the time when Suntai would be fit to govern the state.

 

Tutare, who read the signed address by the lawmakers, said they were in support of the resolution of the state’s Assembly which confirmed Suntai as unfit to resume duties.

 

“Alhaji Garba Umar should continue serving as acting governor, as constitutionally enshrined, until Governor Danbaba (Suntai) is convincingly fit to steer the affairs of the state,” he said.

 

Also, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on Friday declared that the party would not tolerate government by proxy in Taraba State.

 

Fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja on Friday, Tukur said the PDP was worried about the situation in Taraba, and that he would have gone to the state capital if not for the national convention of the PDP holding in Abuja on Saturday (today).

 

“We are concerned about the developments in Taraba state. We earlier sent a team to visit the governor when the unfortunate incident happened and right now, I would have landed in Taraba if not for the national convention. You can count on me to get there by Monday; but we will not allow proxy governance in Taraba State,” Tukur said.

 

“The elder state men and highly placed persons from Taraba State should, as a matter of urgency, converge to proffer solutions to the present political logjam and impasse,” the lawmakers said.

 

He also warned people outside the state against meddling in the affairs of the state, stressing “we commend the bold, gallant, resolute and patriotic steps taken by the Taraba State House of Assembly under the leadership of the courageous Speaker, Rt. Hon. Haruna Tsokwa.”

 

He took a swipe at those who he claimed were “playing politics with the health of the governor” and throwing the state into confusion.

 

He said, “Rather than uniting our people who are peace-loving, dynamic and enterprising, we are busy dividing them and creating unnecessary tension for selfish reasons. Rather than praying for Governor Danbaba’s speedy recovery, we are busy scheming, out-smarting and outwitting each other for selfish aggrandisement or the unknown 2015.”

If you enjoyed this article FEEL Free to TIP Hope for Nigeria Online:


Any Amount Welcome 🙂


Paypal: Paypal.me/hopefornigeria


Do you have story and would like it to be published on Hope for Nigeria? or want to Place Adverts on the Website, If yes email us at moyo@hopefornigeriaonline.com

Like this Article? Share it!

Leave A Response