•No, they are not- Commissioner
Some stakeholders in Taraba State have met in Abuja to perfect their plot to remove ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai from office.
They are of the view that the state is stagnating on account of the
Governor’s long absence from work on account of his hospitalisation,
first in Germany and now the USA, for multiple injuries he suffered in a
plane crash late last year.
His supporters are pushing hard to frustrate moves to either cause
the State Assembly to impeach him or the State Executive Council to
remove him.
They are believed to be the brains behind the circulation of pictures
and video clips of the governor to give the impression that he is fast
recovering.
The Taraba Justice Forum (TJF) is not convinced by the pictures and video clips, dismissing them as fake.
It challenged those circulating them to come up with credible evidence of recuperation or stop sharing false pictures and clips.
The Nation gathered that the Taraba stakeholders, comprising some
political leaders including federal legislators met between Tuesday and
Thursday in Abuja on how to remove Suntai without rancour.
A court is currently hearing a suit to stop the planned removal of the governor.
Sources said that at a point, the stakeholders went to Kaduna on
Wednesday for consultations with some influential citizens of the state.
The priority of the stakeholders, sources said, is how to “guarantee a
seamless transition for the acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar.”
One of the options agreed upon is “a comprehensive consultation with
ethnic associations, Christian groups and the Muslim community in the
state.”
A timeline of one month was set for the consultation before the removal of Suntai is effected.
Similarly, the stakeholders agreed to present an action plan on the
issue to the presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party any moment from
now.
One of the sources said: “We have agreed to replace Suntai with the
acting governor in line with Section 189 of the 1999 Constitution.
“Having met for three days, the stakeholders designed an exit plan
for Suntai, including the readiness of the state to bear his medical
bill.
“We will present our proposals to the presidency and PDP leadership any time from next week.”
Asked if they were no longer interested in the legal process to
remove Suntai, the source said: “Our political decision will even hasten
the legal action in court. Once, we are able to build consensus,
Suntai’s fate will be sealed in court.”
Justice Elvis Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja had, during the
week, referred the suit to remove Suntai to the Federal High Court in
Jalingo, Taraba State.
He said the matter ought to have been heard in Taraba State in the absence of insecurity issues in the state.
He declared that in line with the new policy direction of the Federal
High Court, cases are to be heard in jurisdictions from where they
emanate
In dismissing the governor’s pictures and clips shown on NTA, the
general secretary of the TJF, Mr. Abulus John said the circus show would
lead the state nowhere.
“The game started when a picture of Governor Jonah Jang with Suntai
was released with the Plateau State governor assuring that Danbaba will
soon return to the country to resume work. Four months after, Danbaba is
yet to return. That is false propaganda one,” he said.
“Few months ago and on more than three occasions, the Commissioner
for Information, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, went on air to boast that he would
put the governor on telephone once he reached Germany. Danbaba is well
and he will soon be back, Bello told the whole world. The next thing we
heard was that the governor has been flown to USA for intensive care
“Up till date, Bello has not put the governor on telephone for
Channels or any other medium. The next thing was a picture of the
governor and his wife and another of the governor cutting birthday cake.
All such pictures confirm that all is not well with Danbaba.”
He added: “The last circus show was on NTA. It was so embarrassing
that even the NTA had to apologise that the audio quality was bad. Why
will there be a good visual without good audio? The fact is that the
governor cannot talk or converse correctly because he is brain damaged.
“If truly the governor is okay and recuperating why not take Channels
and NTA along to USA so that they can independently interview the
governor? Why are they bringing all these fake clips to further
embarrass Taraba?
“The fact is that the governor is not suffering from physical deformity but he is brain damaged and so medically incapacitated.
“This is the bitter truth that Bello and others are trying to cover up. But the matter can no longer be swept under the carpet.”
Responding to the allegation, the Commissioner for Information, Mr.
Emmanuel Bello, said: “The pictures and videos showing Governor Suntai
are not fake. I don’t understand. Are they saying anyone who visited the
governor is also fake because all those who visited the governor took
pictures with him? So, are they all lying?
“In any case, those who say the pictures and videos are fake should
prove their point. The onus of proof is on them. They are the ones
making the charge.”
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