Half Fit Suntai Sacks Commissioners,Advisers

Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai spoke last night to the people of the state — his first since he arrived from a 10-month overseas medical trip.

He praised them for their prayers which, he said, enabled him to recover fast.

The governor’s address was broadcast on the Taraba Television (TTV) during the 7pm news. It was short.

Suntai, who had earlier dissolved the executive council, wore a sky blue suit with a striped shirt. He had no tie. Suntai sat reading from a script. He congratulated the people on the state’s anniversary. The state turned 22 on Monday.

Suntai also urged the people to continue to live in peace.

He said: “I congratulate you on our 22 years anniversary as a state. We are indeed a great state and we shall become greater.

“I thank you all for your support throughout my moment of crisis. Thank you for your love, patience and understanding.”

There was jubilation on the streets of Jalingo after the governor spoke on television.

People were singing and dancing as music blared from loud speakers. Suntai’s campaign poster when he sought reelection in 2011 were being waved by some excited supporters.

The governor reportedly inaugurated the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the Chief of Staff.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Hassan Majjiyawa said the leadership of the House of Assembly also met with the governor last night.

Speaker Haruna Tsokwa could not be reached for comments, but Mijinyawa said the Speaker said their conversation with Suntai was “meaningful”.

Tsokwa had earlier said that the House leaders were prevented from seeing the governor.

Suntai’s arrival and “return to work” has sparked some confusion.

The governor’s return, besides dividing the House of Assembly, has also disunited the state.

Suntai dissolved the State Executive Council yesterday. He appointed a new Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff.

But the House of Assembly began to collect signatures to remove the governor. Speaker Haruna Tsogwa said Suntai is yet to resume from his 10-month medical leave because he has not addressed the House.

But House Majority Leader Joseph Albasu said having transmitted a letter to the House following his arrival of Sunday, Suntai had resumed.

The House is said to be divided over the situation. There are 24 members, 22 of them of the PDP. The remaining two are of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having been elected on the ticket of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Timothy Kataps, accused the Speaker of misinterpreting the Constitution. “Misinterpreting the law, as the Taraba Speaker is doing is capable of causing discord to our people who may not have access to the Constitution and may not know the correct position of the law,” he said.

Kataps said Suntai had indeed returned to work. He spoke to reporters shortly before the dissolution of the executive after which he emerged as the SSG.

His words: “I am clarifying the issue because civil society organisations have written me to speak on the true position of the law. Section 190(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended states: In the event that the governor is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in subsection 1 of this section within 21days, the House of Assembly shall, by resolution made by simple majority of the votes of the House, mandate the deputy governor to perform the functions of the office of the governor as acting governor, until the governor transmits a letter to the speaker that he is now available to resume his function as governor.

“Now, on October 25, last year, His Excellency Governor Danbaba Suntai had this unfortunate air crash. That took him away to various hospitals in the country and abroad. But, of course, we are also aware that in that circumstance, the governor wouldn’t have transmitted a letter to the House within the 21 days. But on the 19th day of the 21days, we advised the House professionally on what the constitution says. And we commend the House of Assembly, as of then, because on the 20th day they empowered and mandated the deputy governor to assume office as the acting governor of this state. And the deputy governor has been holding that position until Monday when the governor, by the express provision of Section 190(2), transmitted to the House, a letter informing them he is back to resume duty as the executive governor of this state. Now, the letters of that section is the word AVAILABLE. … until the governor transmits a letter to the speaker that he is now available to resume his function as governor. And that is what the governor did, by his letter to the House of Assembly on Monday.

“Once a governor transmits a letter to the House of Assembly, simplicita. Every other status reverses back to status quo ante.

“So, the governor of Taraba has resumed office as the executive governor. And with all respect, the Speaker is not taking this matter right; he has misinterpreted the provision of the constitution. Section 190(2) does not give the House of Assembly the discretion to add conditions to the letter of the governor of Taraba State. The three arms of government have the duty to govern in a democratic dispensation for the betterment of the state.”

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity Mrs Silvanus Giwa announced the dissolution of the executive and the new appointments at a news conference in Jalingo, the state capital. Besides Kataps as SSG, Alhaji Aminu Jika was appointed Chief of Staff. The appointments take immediate effect.

Giwa said he was speaking on the orders of Suntai, adding that commissioners and special advisers had been relieved of their appointments.

He passed the governor’s appreciation to the outgoing commissioners and special advisers for their services to the state, and wished them well in their future endeavours.