Plot to impeach Taraba acting gov thickens •We met Suntai in very bad state –Legislator •No to govt by proxy –Tukur FOLLOWING the resolution by members of Taraba State House of Assembly that the acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, should continue in office, there arestrong 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 lawmakersand 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 topursue 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 tothe presidency, but have sofar not secured the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is reported to have vowed tostay off the crisis. A source in the know of theunfolding 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 toask 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 GovernorDanbaba Suntai needs immediate help, instead of the current political tool his loyalists are turning him into. Speaking on the visit of thelawmakers 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 thereal 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 coordinateddiscussion during the meeting, and (we) concluded that the man needs our help. That is whywe 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 manyother 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 tohide 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 supersedethe interest of over three million Tarabans. “The constitution stipulatesparticipation 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 Assemblyas five out of the nine members of the state’s caucus at the National Assembly on Friday back the House of Assembly members’ resolution whichasked 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 resolutionof the state’s Assembly which confirmed Suntai as unfit to resume duties. “Alhaji Garba Umar should continue serving as acting governor, as ................ -NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 03:49:40 +0000
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