Taraba: PDP confirms Umar as acting governor

The party’s delegation led by Senator Hope Uzodinma to the state briefed newsmen after a close-door meeting with various stakeholders at the Government House Jalingo.Uzodinma told newsmen that Alhaji Garba Umar remained the acting governor while Suntai continues to recuperate.“We have resolved the issue and it’s just a little family misunderstanding; we don’t have crisis […]

The party’s delegation led by Senator Hope Uzodinma to the state briefed newsmen after a close-door meeting with various stakeholders at the Government House Jalingo.
Uzodinma told newsmen that Alhaji Garba Umar remained the acting governor while Suntai continues to recuperate.
“We have resolved the issue and it’s just a little family misunderstanding; we don’t have crisis in Taraba. The governor is Suntai, he is relatively very healthy and there is no disagreement between him and his deputy now the acting governor,” Uzodinma said.
He said Suntai “is also in support of the fact that the acting governor should continue to act and that he should always consult with him and clear with him on major issues pending when he will be ready to fully take over the governance of the state and it is agreeable to all party.”
Also addressing journalists after the close-door meeting, Acting Governor Umar said the issues had been resolved and that it was agreed that he would continue to pilot the affairs of the state until Suntai was able to resume duty as governor.
“Let me assure you that today, we have been able to tell ourselves the truth and we have been able to resolve our differences today. I’m assuring you that Taraba is one. Let me also add that all of us here were witnesses to the fact that a week ago papers have been carrying all sorts of stories about Taraba,” he said.
“Today, we thank God that all our differences have been resolved and it was agreed that I will pilot the affairs of the state until my principal is able to come back and resume duties as our governor.”
When asked whether he was ready to abide by the decisions taken by Suntai so far, especially the dissolution of the state executive council, Umar responded thus: “Well, I have said earlier, all issues have been resolved including all these things you have mentioned and I believe we are meeting to resolve all these things. So, there is nothing to worry about.”
He said he was still in consultation with his boss on the composition of a new state executive council.
Earlier, Senator Uzodinma along with his committee members, the acting governor and national assembly members from Taraba State, had paid a courtesy call on Suntai at the Government House Jalingo.
Daily Trust reports that only three cameramen, including those of the Taraba Television, Channels Television, TV Continental and a journalist from Daily Newswatch, were allowed by security operatives to cover the meeting of the delegation with Suntai. Others were barred by security operatives from entering.
Our correspondent reports that Suntai shook hands with members of the committee.
The closed door meeting which lasted for over an hour, also had in attendance wife of the governor Mrs. Hauwa Suntai, Speaker of the Taraba State House of assembly and PDP stalwarts from the state.