Wednesday, 04 September 2013 00:00
From Lemmy Ughegbe (Abuja) and Charles Akpeji (Jalingo)


TARABA State Governor Danbaba Suntai Tuesday added a legal dimension to his bid to resume his duties as he sued the Speaker and other members of the state House of Assembly.

Suntai had on August 26, 2013 transmitted a letter to the Speaker, notifying him of his return after a 10-month absence and his readiness to take over his office as governor and responsibilities thereof.

But the Speaker rejected the governor’s request on the grounds that the letter ought to be deliberated upon by the House before a decision could be reached on it.

Accordingly, the State House of Assembly directed that the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, whom it had declared acting governor, should continue in that capacity pending a resolution of the House on Suntai’s letter.

Piqued by what he considered a breach of his constitutional powers as governor by the House, Suntai approached the High Court in the state through Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) vide originating summons, seeking redress.

In a copy of the originating summons obtained by The Guardian, Izinyon argued that Suntai’s letter notifying the Speaker and the House of his return and intention to take over was not subject to their discretion to accept or reject.

He wants the court to declare that by virtue of Section 190 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the first and second defendants cannot by a statement or debate, interfere with, do anything in connection with or in relation to the letter transmitted by the plaintiff to the first defendant pursuant to the said Section 190 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Besides, the fact-finding committee of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on the actual health condition of Suntai has directed Umar to continue. But they said that he must seek clearance from Suntai before embarking on any major decision.

The seven-man committee which was led by Senator Hope Uzodinma, which arrived the state at about 11.55 a.m. The Guardian can confirm, were received by Umar and some top government functionaries.

Also on the panel were five of the indigenes of the state in the National Assembly: Senator Abubakar Umar Tutare, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, Ibrahim El-Sudi Tukur, Jerry Mamwe and Aminu Manle.

The lawmakers went ahead to visit the governor in his house before commencing their closed-door meeting which lasted for about three hours.

Before the meeting with stakeholders, Uzodima said PDP at the national level as well as the Presidency deemed it fit to urgently wade into the ongoing crisis following the important role the state had being playing in the nation’s politics.

Briefing journalists immediately after the meeting, Uzodima said: “We support that the acting governor should continue to act and he should always consult with him (Suntai) and clear with him (Suntai) on major issues pending when he is ready to fully take over the governance of the state.”

He added that “we have resolved the issue”, which according to him, “is a family issue,” noting that “we don’t have a crisis in Taraba State anymore.”

The lawmaker noted that the “Governor of Taraba State is Governor Danbaba Suntai. He is relatively healthy and he has no disagreement with his deputy who is now the acting governor.”

He added that Suntai “is also in support that the acting governor should continue to act and should always consult with him.”

Though the governor was not at the meeting, his wife, Hauwa, as well as stakeholders from the two factions, were present.

Earlier, while Uzodinma and his team were on their way to visit the governor at the Government House, a mild drama occurred as journalists were prevented from gaining access into the compound by security operatives.

Umar said the intervention of the national headquarters of the PDP had resolved the political crisis in the state.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/national-news/131843-suntai-sues-speaker-seeks-powers-as-gov-

Besides, the fact-finding committee of the ruling
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on the actual health
condition of Suntai has directed Umar to continue.
But they said that he must seek clearance from
Suntai before embarking on any major decision.

In one word, the whole fiasco and brouhaha are just frivolous. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, hence, it's gonna be so hard for the acting governor who's gat pride to seek the former's consent, surely, there's gonna prejudice.

To my perspective, I'd rather Suntai's wife and those power drunken goons should just let the man rest.

Wait! He's gat no grown up sons?

This song is dedicated to Taraba state politics and his father. nigeriaa!! "I'm hungry" wht wil u eat? oo power! Power oo ooh!! poweeer, is my turn! Poweer! Power oo ooh!! Poweer!.

Hungry barristers go don beef their soup be that. But come, to address the assembly the man no gree na for court him wan win fai!

"

Wahala dey

Intresting scenes

Power drunk God-forsake people . The Acting Governor would have done the same if he was in the same position his 'Oga' is. Power, they say intoxicates.

The real issues on ground has not yet been addressed....that is - is this man still competent to rule? All this should preceed any other discussion which have so far been tantamount to putting the horse before the cart. A serious legislature should do that first. If Mr Suntai has nothing to hide, he should come out clean and proove himself, its as easy as making a broadcast to his people. Personally, me thinks he is in a near vegetative state and just clawing hard to complete his looting spree...my thots pls.
Tx[b][/b]

what do u fink they r smoking over there at taraba?!!

"HOW TO SOLVE TARABA CRISIS".......

Since Suntai is a Pilot, he should be tested by flying a Jet carrying all members of the cabal that insisted he is sound & fit to govern the State (Including his wife). After the successful flight, he should resume duty immediately... No Wahala !! Jonathan, Patience & Tukur should also join the flight as observers.

Hmmmmmmm, oso si mi le nu, o bu yor sii. ENd time for suntai is near.

Suntai should just let it go,his health should be of paramount importance rather than crying for power no allow that power drunken Hauwa push you to your death.

Who sign those letters? The one transmitted to the State House of Assembly and one firing the cabinate?
Let an investigation be carried out.

Precedence is always followed in law, so I am unperturbed by the happenings in Taraba, I am only waiting for the good or sad news of Mr. Suntai depending on the camp you belong....I wish his wife, family and friends will give way to reason and good judgement to avert this good or bad news...May history not repeat itself.

Politics and una wahala. I just dont like that. Either suntai or his deputy i wish taraba all the best.

OMG! Africa and her sit-tight politicians.The fact is Mr Suntai at the moment isn't fit mentally,psychologically and socially to resume duty as the governor of taraba state.I 'll humbly appeal that Mr suntai should concentrate more in regaining his full fitness before scrabbling to take over as the chief executive of T.S.

RedBenson: You can imagine a vegetable going as far as court to sue his fellows? This power of a thing is really madness. No wonder no Nigerian political leader ever resigned from power. Instead of Suntai (now vegetable) to go rest and enjoy the ones he had stolen from govt pocket already, he's here allowing his wife to let him foolishly be fighting for position he cannot actively occupy. Nigerian politicians are really mad!

If not, i would have said 'End time tinz' but thank i didnt say it. Do you think i said it?

lol. @redbenson na you get your mouth. Actually the guy is suppose to let go. But if you were in his shoes, will you let go? "wink"

The wife is the key person in this whole drama....i see that she wants power.......nothing wrong with a woman fighting for her family's hegemony.....i like women like that

I dont think it is right for disable to rule over able and healthy people

paparazzi1987: "HOW TO SOLVE TARABA CRISIS".......

Since Suntai is a Pilot, he should be tested by flying a Jet carrying all members of the cabal that insisted he is sound & fit to govern the State (Including his wife). After the successful flight, he should resume duty immediately... No Wahala !! Jonathan, Patience & Tukur should also join the flight as observers.

If I am the judge this will be the simplest case to judge, I will just tell the lawyer to bring Suntai to court and I will ask him some qustions if he answers them , I will pronounce him fit, if not I will immediately him incapacitated and order the deputy be sworn in as governor.

I will also order the arrest of his care givers as evidently those letter won't have emanated from him. Shikenan

im fast becomin a super star....two of my
topics on front page...............................
tnk u nokia C2

Real wahala

locust01: Hmmmmmmm, oso si mi le nu, o bu yor sii. ENd time for suntai is near.

kpalasa talk beta tin joor