CONFUSION IN TARABA: Speaker, Majority Leader Disagree On Suntai’s Return

CONFUSION IN TARABA: Speaker, Majority Leader Disagree On Suntai’s Return

There was confusion in Taraba State on Wednesday as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Haruna Tsokwa and the Majority Leader, Mr. Joseph Albasu, disagreed on who ran the affairs of the state as governor.

While Tsokwa said the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, would continue to act as governor until the Assembly deliberated  on the letter by the recuperating Governor Danbaba Suntai seeking to resume duty, Albasu claimed that Suntai had already taken charge as the state’s Chief Executive.

The Majority Leader told journalists at the assembly complex in Jalingo that the lawmakers gave the governor the nod to begin work since he had fulfilled the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Albasu, who said he was speaking for all the lawmakers, added that the governor was mentally fit to carry out his duties.

He argued  that the constitution did not  make it mandatory for a governor to appear before the assembly on the matter in  question.

The  Majority Leader, also stated that it was against the spirit of  the constitution for the assembly to debate the letter by Suntai.

But the Speaker faulted him, saying the governor must  appear before the Assembly  or be prepared to receive  its principal officers  in his office in the Government House,  Jalingo.

He said,  “Governor Suntai has transmitted a letter to the Assembly, but his deputy, Alhaji Umar, will continue to act, until this assembly deliberates on  his letter.”

It was however learnt that the lawmakers might deliberate on the letter on Wednesday (today).

The speaker, who claimed that he was unaware of the claims by the Majority Leader, also confirmed earlier reports  that  Suntai’s wife  blocked  him  from seeing her husband on Tuesday.

Tsokwa became the speaker when Istifanus Haruna Gbana –an ally of  Suntai, was  removed while Suntai was still  receiving treatment abroad for injuries he sustained last October when a small plane he piloted crashed.

Source: Legit.ng

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