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.
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.

On Monday he 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.

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.

The Taraba Assembly 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.

The members, believed 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.

“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.

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.

“The governor could 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.

“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.

“The Clerk of the 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)”.

The other group wants 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.

“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?

He said it is even against 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.


(thenationonlineng)