Taraba State Governor, Suntai Can't Talk With Deputy But Wants To Take Over Power; Assembly Disagrees
Heavy tension is building in Taraba State,
which could degenerate into a religious crisis between Christians and
Muslims as the principal actors are already playing the religion card.
The confusion in the state reached new heights on Wednesday as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Haruna Tsokwa and the Majority Leader, Mr. Joseph Albasu, disagreed on who is now in-charge of the affairs of the state as governor.
The speaker insisted that Deputy Governor Garba Umar remains the governor:
And that would continue until the Assembly deliberated on the letter by the recuperating Governor Danbaba Suntai seeking to resume duty.
The confusion in the state reached new heights on Wednesday as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Haruna Tsokwa and the Majority Leader, Mr. Joseph Albasu, disagreed on who is now in-charge of the affairs of the state as governor.
The speaker insisted that Deputy Governor Garba Umar remains the governor:
And that would continue until the Assembly deliberated on the letter by the recuperating Governor Danbaba Suntai seeking to resume duty.
But the majority leader, Joseph Albasu, is claiming that Suntai had
already taken charge as the state’s Chief Executive. The Majority Leader
told journalists at the assembly complex in Jalingo that the lawmakers
gave the governor the nod to begin work since he had fulfilled the
provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Joseph Albasu, who said he was speaking for all the lawmakers, added that the governor was mentally fit to carry out his duties.
He argued that the constitution did not make it mandatory for a governor to appear before the assembly on the matter in question, arguing that it was against the spirit of the constitution for the assembly to debate the letter by Suntai.
But the Speaker faulted Joseph Albasu, saying Governor Suntai must appear before the Assembly or receive its principal officers in his office in the Government House, Jalingo.
“Governor Suntai has transmitted a letter to the Assembly, but his deputy, Alhaji Umar, will continue to act, until this assembly deliberates on his letter” and ascertain that he is indeed fit.
Joseph Albasu, who said he was speaking for all the lawmakers, added that the governor was mentally fit to carry out his duties.
He argued that the constitution did not make it mandatory for a governor to appear before the assembly on the matter in question, arguing that it was against the spirit of the constitution for the assembly to debate the letter by Suntai.
But the Speaker faulted Joseph Albasu, saying Governor Suntai must appear before the Assembly or receive its principal officers in his office in the Government House, Jalingo.
“Governor Suntai has transmitted a letter to the Assembly, but his deputy, Alhaji Umar, will continue to act, until this assembly deliberates on his letter” and ascertain that he is indeed fit.
