Impeaching Ailing Governor Suntai is unnecessary ~DSK Chief David Kente, chairman of DSK Group of Companies, is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Taraba State. In this interview with FELIX NNAMDI, he speaks about the recent controversy over the return of Governor Danbaba Suntai as well as how the 2015 elections will play out in the state What is your position on the recent moves by the Taraba State Exco to commence impeachment proceedings against ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai? As a stakeholder in Taraba State, I think the move is uncalled for. What our people in Taraba want is for peace and tranquility to reign in the state. People are bothered about seeing food on their tables, water flowing from the taps, roads being maintained and people’s health being catered for, rather than the killings and maiming currently going on in that state. In a nutshell, I don’t support the idea of pushing somebody off his seat when it is really not necessary to do that. Don’t you think the recent return of Governor Suntai who, as can be seen, is not yet fully recovered would further cause problems and hinder development in the state? I don’t think so. Suntai’s health is not hindering Taraba State from being developed. So I don’t support the move to impeach him at all because Suntai has not hindered the Acting Governor from discharging the responsibility of the office of governor of the state. The Acting Governor should be busy administering the state and helping the state to develop rather than doing what they are doing now. With all these controversies and as a stakeholder in Taraba State politics, are you not afraid that the ground is being prepared for a violent election in the state in 2015? Does election involve using arms? Election is about going to talk to people, to convince them by outlining your programmes and then soliciting for the support. They will in turn use the ballot paper to cast their votes for you. Election does not require one supplying arms to people to vote for him. Our appeal to Tarabans as the 2015 elections are coming up is for them to close ranks, reduce tensions in the state, sensitise others on the need to live in peace and harmony with one another and not allow ourselves to be used by people who do not like us or mean well for us. It is only when we are together that we can have a free and fair election and produce credible people to transform the state. People see you as one of the leading contenders for the governorship position in the state but you have not officially declared your intention to run for office? People are getting politically conscious. They have seen some qualities in me that will help them address the present situation we find ourselves in the state right now. As a citizen of that state, I have been contributing my quota in my own little way to see that our people are living in peace, have good health facilities and infrastructure across the state. Like you mentioned, I have not officially declared for the race but I am preparing very seriously to do that very soon. We are waiting for the President, as our leader, to declare then we will follow suit. In the next couple of weeks, we will be able to make a public declaration for the race. What is your relationship with notable stakeholders in the state, especially General T. Y. Danjuma because people believe that he usually plays a crucial role in deciding who becomes governor of the state? General Danjuma is a father in Nigeria at large; in fact, he’s one of the people in this country that are respected all over the world. I know how he’s also highly regarded by foreigners. For us from Taraba State, we see him as one sent by God for the good of our people. I don’t think I have any problem with him in spite of the fact that a lot of gossiping is going on among people who are holding big political offices, who ordinarily should promote peace among our people but are going about gossiping and telling him all sorts of falsehoods. But the General, being a widely travelled and very intelligent person, is able to see through their falsehoods. I am confident that he’ll be able to come out with his support for us because it is our turn to produce the next governor in Taraba State, having had the northern part of the state producing governor for close to 10 years and with Governor Suntai, from the Central, being the governor for close to eight years now. I am of the view that by the principle of equity and fair play, that it is the turn of the southern part where I belong, to produce the next governor of the state in the spirit of brotherhood and togetherness. There are also other stakeholders in the state with whom we have a synergy aimed at producing the next governor and we are all preparing for the primary election and without this synergy with other stakeholders, we will not be able to get to the promised land. I am sure that very good and credible people will emerge and successfully form the next administration in the state. What do you think should be the focus of the next governor of the state? You are well aware that Taraba has been in a complete state of disarray. As I speak to you, a lot of our people are not living in peace with each other. There is crisis going on in the state, especially in the southern Taraba where I come from. I am also not sure they are not faring any better in the northern part of the state because the state’s economy is practically grounded. You know that whatever affects the head, affects the entire body. Wukari is like the nerve centre of the state and whatever affects Wukari affects the entire state. If you look at my antecedents, I’ve been a very quiet person doing my things quietly and pushing for the well-being of my people. I am sure I have the capacity to bring about a significant advancement in the living standard of my people and transform the state’s economy. You don’t need all the resources in this world to impact the lives of a people. You only require a mixture of intelligence and available resources to be able to impact the lives of the people. There is so much talk about zoning. What role do you think this will play in deciding where the next Governor of Taraba State should come from? Officially, other parts of the state have conceded power to the south. Those who matter in those zones have conceded power to the South – people like Rev. Jolly Nyame, Anthony Jalasin, Senator A. Ibrahim and the rest have all conceded power to us in the South.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 06:26:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015