Caution in Taraba

We join the people of Taraba State, family members, friends and well wishers of Governor Danbaba Fulani Suntai in the celebration of his return after 10 months of medical sojourn in Germany and the United States of America.The governor, along with some aides of his, was involved in a ghastly crash while on a jolly flight in his Hawker 800 on October 25, 2012.

 While he was away, there were some changes in the power equation in the state. For instance, there was a cabinet reshuffle, which affected some loyalists of the governor; there was also the removal of the former secretary to the state government; some change of guard in the state House of Assembly and of course, enthronement of a helmsman as governor in acting capacity.

 As we celebrate Suntai’s return to his state after several months of diverse speculations over his health condition, it is our belief that care must be taken by the governor, his minders and all stakeholders not to plunge Taraba into a mire of crisis for selfish reasons.

 From the photographs that were published of him in many national dailies upon his return, Suntai does not cut a picture of a man in perfect health to withstand the rigours of office. This, however, is subject to confirmation by appropriate and relevant quarters.  We also believe that it is too hasty for a man who just came back to his state after 10 months’ absence, to begin to talk about returning to office and even to sack the existing cabinet without conferring with the acting governor. Suntai was rather hasty and ill advised by sacking the state executive council.

 The ideal thing should have been for the governor to commend the people of Taraba for holding forth, and for their long patience and goodwill. Also, the governor should have awaited or called for briefing by the acting governor and the speaker House of Assembly so as to be fully abreast of the goings on in the state.

 We are indeed disturbed that barely 24 hours upon his return, the ailing governor allegedly transmitted a letter to the House seeking to return to his seat at the Government House in Jalingo. We are equally worried at the level of desperation that led to the reported state broadcast, the veracity of which is being questioned.

We wonder how Suntai, who, according to the published pictures of him, could barely stand erect unaided, who does not appear to be very conscious and hardly speaks, can pilot the affairs of the state for the remaining 20 months of his tenure. Will the governor rule by proxy?

 Declaring Suntai unfit to steer the affairs of Taraba State by the state House of Assembly is a reaction that would pitch Suntai against the law makers and may further deepen the divide in the state.

But, we urge all stakeholders not to take any irrational step which could exacerbate the already tense situation in the state. The House of Assembly must properly establish that Suntai is medically fit or otherwise. Suntai and his aides must also be sincere about the health status of the governor, and follow due process.

 We recall that when Nigeria passed a similar route in 2010 over President Yar’Adua’s health, there was general uneasy and tension in the country, and the country suffered avoidable misdirection and embarrassment. It took only the determination of the National Assembly to bring the country back to the track.

 All parties in Taraba imbroglio should ensure that the proper governance of the state is on course, and not jeopardised by the unscrupulous activities of political opportunists and plunderers.