Taraba political logjam

Head of delegation Senator Hope Uzodinma briefed press in Jalingo on the matter. According to him, Governor Danbaba Suntai has agreed with the House of Assembly for Deputy Governor Garba Umar to continue to act until his recovery, but that Garba must consult with him on major issues. Senator Uzodinma led a seven-man team that […]

Head of delegation Senator Hope Uzodinma briefed press in Jalingo on the matter. According to him, Governor Danbaba Suntai has agreed with the House of Assembly for Deputy Governor Garba Umar to continue to act until his recovery, but that Garba must consult with him on major issues. Senator Uzodinma led a seven-man team that included Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters Barrister Ali Gulak.
Taraba State’s political logjam got to a head as soon as media reports quoted the wife of the governor Hajiya Hawwa Suntai as revealing that her ailing husband was returning to the country, having improved in his health.  
For nearly ten months, Governor Danbaba Suntai had remained in German and US hospitals receiving treatment for post-crash injuries, specifically, trauma. For all this time, Nigerians have watched a sad re-enactment of the Yar’adua-type crisis drama that preceded the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Then the news came, catching Taraba State unawares, and it did not seem that the acting governor was in charge of the efforts of the governor’s family to bring the state’s leader back. Once the news blew open, jubilation rent the air. Undoubtedly, Governor Suntai enjoys popularity and is well appreciated by ‘Tarabians’. The people of Taraba State had applauded Acting Governor Garba Umar for boldly and calmly holding the forte without being cowed by the political machinations of interests struggling to reconfigure their flights of fantasies hitherto assured by a pre-2015 Suntai presence and promises. He did not take advantage of the “situation” to promote any ambitions, remaining instead, resolute to what the book dictated by his function as acting governor. I had reason to observe that his strength of character was commendable.
Those who argue that the Legislature has flouted the Constitution forget that constitutionally, Garba Umar should have been sworn-in as governor of Taraba State long ago, the position of the Constitution is clear on this. That this impasse has lasted this long is owing to the natural show of sympathetic support for a downed leader. In circumstances like this, it is natural to hope for the best and hide genuine fears. Down is not out. No member of the state executive council dared bell the cat by courageously uttering the words – let us do what is constitutionally right. And this is the pity of it all. How long will the drama last? This calls for a review of the constitution; but really? Is it not our psyche of impunity that needs review?
Suntai’s aids, bent on prolonging the wait, showed a lack of faith and confidence and in the process, mismanaged the information of the true state of Governor Suntai’s condition. Made public in all honesty, Governor Suntai would have received deserved sympathy of not just the people of Taraba State, but Nigerians as a whole. Their failure to do so and engaging instead in this despicable drama has in turn traumatized and polarized the state.
Governor Danbaba Suntai soon upon return transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly indicating his and fitness and readiness to remount the saddle. The House had given Deputy Governor Garba Umar instruments to act as governor until the state leader’s return. These instruments have to be retrieved by the Legislature, in responding to the returned governor’s notification of active presence for duty.
The House of Assembly Governor Danbaba had left after the crash is not the same one that he has returned to. The erstwhile Speaker Hon Istifanus Gbana and his Deputy Hon Abel Peter Diah and all principal officers were impeached in an in-house putsch, and replaced by Hon Haruna Tsokwa who emerged as Speaker while Hon. Tanko Maikarfi was elected Deputy Speaker complete with a new set of principal officers. It was at this point that the governor’s men began to perceive of a drift towards total seizure of power by Garba, who continuously denied any such thoughts. Of course there had been a stand-off between the two.
Then Garba received the Legislature’s report on the Federal Government’s N400 million relief fund grant and siting it, sacked key public functionaries and replaced them with heavyweights in the political divides of Taraba State. Panic must have set in for the sudden resolve to bring back ailing Danbaba Suntai.
The Taraba State House of Assembly has so far declined the request of Governor Danbaba Suntai to resume work. Speaker Haruna Tsokwa, revealing to the press that legislators had not been allowed access to the governor since his return, had urged Governor Suntai to resist the temptation of being used by any group and to follow the due process and as well address the people. The speaker added that if Suntai was not fit to do so, the House was willing to grant him leave to return for more treatment. The speaker clarified that Alhaji Garba Umar was still acting governor until the due process was followed. At resumption in Jalingo on Monday after the eventful National Mini Convention of the PDP, the House held a plenary session and passed the contents of the press statement as a resolution.
But for this intervention, Taraba State was and may still be sitting on edge. For how do you deal with this situation? What do you do for Suntai now? My choice of words is deliberate. What do you do FOR the man in torment through misfortune if you fear that a cabal is hell bent on taking over? What of the Legislature? Is their position constitutional? Is denying Suntai a reclaim of his office when he is here in person also not an aberration?
Under the circumstances, the home-grown relief looks a better option, and Suntai must be resolved. Garba Umar’s position is also precarious and difficult. It must also be resolved.
Even as one is not competent to dispute the claim of fitness on the part of Governor Suntai remains the caution that “the situation of Taraba State requires a political solution that is amicable to all the divergent interests”. This is the challenge for the ruling People’s Democratic Party.
Governor Danbaba Suntai is obviously on the road to recovery, as we all wish. Whether he can face the rigours of office as governor in the future soon to come is not for man to predict but I frankly do not think at this point he should be saddled with the task of governance at perilous risk to his life, health and the peace of the state. One would sincerely have wished that Danbaba Suntai’s future was not toyed with and sacrificed to the human frailty of numb morals, and lust for political power.
That Governor Danbaba Suntai is alive and improving is enough reason to give thanks and glory to God. I believe, given time, Suntai will gain full recovery and this should remain the prayer focus of friends, associates and family.