Taraba Crisis: Senators, Reps, Speakers back Assembly

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National Assembly Members from Taraba State: Senator Abubakar Umar Tature (2ndleft); Chief Whip, House of Reps, Ishyaka Bawa (2nd right); members House of Reps, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Malle (left) and Hon. Ibrahim Tukur El- Sudi at a press briefing on the political crisis in Taraba State, held at National Assembly Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi FAYESE

The National Assembly caucus of Taraba State and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (CSSLN) are in support of the Taraba State House of Assembly on its stand that Alhaji Garba Umar remains acting governor.

They affirmed that while Mr.Danbaba Suntai is the undisputed governor,the State Assembly was constitutionally right to mandate Alhaji Umar to continue in office until Mr.Suntai is medically fit to resume.

They warned external influences against exploiting the situation to the detriment of the people of the state.

Addressing reporters at the House of Representatives yesterday, Senator Abubakar Tutare said the unfolding political melodrama in the state is unfortunate, shameful and uncalled for.

Tutare was flanked by the House of Representatives Majority Whip, Ishaka Bawa, Ibrahim El Sudi and Aminu Malle, while Jerry Manwe, Albert Sam-Tsokwa and two Senators missed the briefing.

The state has nine members in the National Aseembly made up of three Senators and six Representatives.

Five members signed the statement of the position of the caucus.

According to Tutare, being leaders that ought to have unbiased opinions, mature judgments and enlightened conscience, the state must be seen to be bigger and greater than one single individual or group of individuals.

He said rather than be concerned about bringing development to the state, “we are busy politicking with the health of our amiable Governor His Excellency, Danbaba Suntai. Rather than uniting our people who are peace-loving, dynamic and enterprising, we are busy dividing them and creating unnecessary tension for selfish reasons.

“Rather than praying for Governor Danbaba’s speedy recovery, we are busy scheming, outsmarting and outwitting each other for selfish aggrandizement or the unknown 2015.

“As concerned Tarabans in the National Assembly, we sat and deliberated over the negative media hype pervading the already charged political atmosphere in the country and hereby plead with the various political gladiators within and outside Taraba to allow peace to prevail in the state.

“Our position is that His Excellency Danbaba Danfulani Suntai is and remains the undisputed Executive Governor of Taraba State.

“Alhaji Garba Umar should continue serving as Acting Governor as constitutionally enshrined until Governor Danbaba is convincingly fit to steer the affairs of the state.

“Without prejudice to the legality or otherwise of the action of the members of the Taraba State House of Assembly, we hereby commend the bold, gallant, resolute and patriotic steps taken by the Taraba State House of Assembly under the leadership of the courageous Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa”.

Besides, the federal lawmakers noted that the health and welfare of Suntai ought be of utmost importance to those who love the ailing governor, including the political gladiators, individuals and groups.

They urged the Taraba State Government to continue to take responsibility of his health expenses and all other personal responsibilities as they may arise.

While pleading with elder statesmen and highly placed persons from the state to, as a matter of urgency, converge to proffer solutions to the political impasse, the lawmakers advised external forces, unless for the purposes of bringing peace to the state, to desist from involving themselves in the affairs of the state.

Similarly, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (CSSLN) said the decision of the Taraba State House of Assembly to ascertain the health status of Governor Suntai is in order and constitutional.

The conference, however, urged the state assembly to stand firm on its decision.

Chairman of the conference and Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Inuwa Garba, who spoke in Abuja yesterday also warned against external influences that might want to destabilise the state through the unfolding situation.

He asked members of the state assembly to “stay firm in doing what is constitutionally right in the prevailing circumstance,” and all stakeholders to “resist any undue internal and external interference capable of creating religious, ethnic and political discord.”

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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