Taraba lawmakers move to sack Speaker November 23, 2014 By Janet Audu Correspondent Jalingo It has been incessant drama in Taraba State following the Supreme Court Ruling that reinstated Sani Danladi Abubakar as Deputy Governor, about two years after his impeachment. On Saturday, it emerged that a serious plot by the members of House of Assembly to impeach the Speaker, Josiah Kente, is brewing in a move aimed at reinstating the structure that existed before Garba was made acting governor. This is coming on the heels of the Deputy Governor’s sack of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Gave Yaweh, and the immediate appointment of the state’s Former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Timothy Gibon Kataps, in his place. Yaweh is not the only casualty of the new order in Taraba, as the deputy governor has also approved the appointment of Aminu Jika as the new Chief of Staff to the Taraba Government House. It would be recalled that Jika was the Chief of Staff, Government House Administration, between 2004 and 2007 when Jolly Nyame was governor in the state. He later became commissioner Information, Culture and Tourism in the state, a position he held between 2007 and 2011. Meanwhile, our correspondent reports that, against the expectations of many, Jalingo metropolis has been calm, as security men were seen patrolling the town. , even though parents were misinformed that there likely be crisis thus making school pupils rushing back home, Earlier, staff of the Taraba State House of Assembly were asked to go back home early. They were, however, reassured of safety by the Deputy Speaker, Tanko Maikarfi, who also asked them to return to work. Also, the residence of the sacked, Acting Governor, Garba Umar, along the Specialist Hospital area, was under lock and key for 24 hours, based on a purported security report. Meanwhile, celebrations have continued to trail the reinstatement of Danladi as Deputy Governor in the state. Just as Danladi arrived Jalingo, his supporters were seen removing billboards bearing pictures of the sacked acting governor, replacing them with that of his principal, Danbaba Suntai. Until any further action is instituted, Danladi’s reinstatement means that Suntai is also back on the saddle as governor, although it remains yet to be ascertained if the governor, who was involved in a plane crash last year is fully fit to run affairs in that capacity. Danladi may have given credence to this in his address shortly upon arrival in Jalingo after the judgment, when he said, “The Supreme Court has once again demonstrated its preparedness to protect extend provisions of our constitution. “I therefore pledge my total submission to the rule of law in the discharge of my duties to you the good people of Taraba State, you overwhelmingly gave us your mandate in 2011. “On behalf of my boss, Danbaba Suntai, I use this opportunity to thank you once again.” Going back memory lane, Danladi said, “It is still fresh in our memories that shortly after my removal from office in 2012, our leader, His Excellency Danbaba Suntai, was involved in the unfortunate plane crash that has kept Him out of office for over two years now, but with gratitude to God Almighty through your prayers, our governor is fast recuperating satisfactorily.” The reinstated Deputy Governor of Taraba said he has been in touch with Suntai since his return from the United Kingdom for treatment, saying, In line with Supreme Court judgment, I am glad to inform you that our governor is in high spirit in response to my return. “I have briefed him on the content of this address and I have his mandate to go ahead with this, I express my gratitude to him and his wife for their sure solidarity with me. “At this juncture, I wish to pledge my unflinching loyalty to my principal and leader, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, the Executive Governor of the state, and this I shall demonstrate not only in words but my actions in the days ahead.” Speaking further, he said, “Tarabans must eschew all form of bitterness, especially the musters of tribal and religious differences that has started raring their ugly head and introduced to our politics since the absent of our governor and myself in office.” Danladi, who has made reference to Suntai as governor, also spoke on insecurity in the state, saying, “Taraba State has witnessed crisis which has never happened during Suntai leadership in office. “Suntai has announced and I want to emphasise that we will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order in this state. “We will work with all community to ensure that peace returns to the state by the grace of God.” Reacting to the judgment, Mark Useni Bako, who is one of the House of Assembly Pro-Suntai Group, known as G-8, stated that the court judgment has vindicated some of them who remain resolute in the Taraba political imbroglio. Also reacting, Director General of Garba Umar Campaign team, Ahmed Yusuf, popularly known as Gamalia, said they have taken the court verdict in good fate, but insisted that Garba is still in the governorship race, to exercise his right as a citizen of the state. “As I speak to you right now, we are on our way to Bauchi for screening exercise. We are focused and optimistic that our team is the team to beat,” Yusuf said.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 03:30:54 +0000
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