Suntai
Following the continuous absence of the Governor of Taraba state, Danbaba Suntai, who was flown to Germany on 26 October for medical treatment two days after the Cessna plane he was piloting from Jalingo to Yola crashed few kilometres before landing, Taraba State House of Assembly yesterday (Wednesday) morning passed a resolution empowering Deputy Governor, Garba Umar to step up in an capacity as Governor of the state pending when the Governor returns.
It is 21 days today since Suntai who is said to be recuperating in a German hospital was flown out of the country.
A resolution was passed by the law makers citing section 190 of the 1999 Constitution which reads: “In the event that the Governor is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mention in sub- section (1) of this section within 21 days, the House of Assembly shall, by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote 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 functions as Governor.”
The Majority Leader, Charles Maijankai moved the motion under “matters of urgent public importance” to make Garba Umar the acting Governor.
Furthermore,the Deputy speaker Abel Diah, and Mark Useni of Takum 2 Constituency also contributed to the motion of making Umar the acting Governor.
A lawmaker who pleaded anonymity said “Taraba State is one that abides by the constitution. We are governed by the constitution. I have no doubts that even Governor Suntai would have respected the constitution in this situation”
Hon Useni also added that Governor Suntai had in three different occasions in the past transmitted letters to the House, asking it to empower the deputy governor to act in his absence.
However, there are strong indications that Governor Danbaba Suntai may return to the country before the end of the week.
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