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 lawmakers and
break the camp of the 16 legislators supporting the speaker.
A source said that a very influential
figure is bankrolling the plot, and he is said to have vowed to pursue 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 to the presidency, but have so far not secured the endorsement
of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is reported to have vowed to stay off the
crisis.
A source in the know of the unfolding
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 to ask 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
Governor Danbaba Suntai needs immediate help, instead of the current political
tool his loyalists are turning him into.
Speaking on the visit of the
lawmakers 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 the real 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 coordinated discussion
during the meeting, and (we) concluded that the man needs our help. That is why
we 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 many other 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 to hide 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 supersede the interest of over three million Tarabans.
“The constitution stipulates
participation 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
Assembly as five out of the nine members of the state’s caucus at the National
Assembly on Friday back the House of Assembly members’ resolution which asked
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 resolution of the state’s
Assembly which confirmed Suntai as unfit to resume duties.
“Alhaji Garba Umar should continue
serving as acting governor, as constitutionally enshrined, until Governor
Danbaba (Suntai) is convincingly fit to steer the affairs of the state,” he
said.
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Politics