To start with, a quick look at the personality of Umar Garba would be
\nnecessary in this context, for the sole purpose of achieving an
\nunhindered comprehension of the intent of this treatise.<\/p>\n
Alhaji Garba Umar is the deputy governor of Taraba state by virtue of
\nthe constitutional provisions that brought him to office. He is also
\nby streak of providence, the Acting governor of the selfsame state. On
\nassumption of office, after, of course, their mandatory double-ticket
\nvictory at the polls, while His Excellency, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, swore
\nto the oath of governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Umar took allegiance
\nto serve as his deputy. This status he maintained until the events of
\ntime foisted on him with the demand to step into his master’s shoes,
\nin acting capacity.<\/p>\n
Remarkably, Taraba was, for sometimes ago a view-point within the
\npolitical radar range; albeit, in an manner infamous, which now
\nappears to have been suddenly prodded back into the realm of oblivion.<\/p>\n
It was during the period following the narrow-escape of the governor
\nfrom the snare that had been presented in the toga of an air-mishap.
\nThis news was given heightened focused; further fueling the hysteric
\nconcern that had soared following what seemed like an onslaught- the
\ncontinuous involvement of high-profile political figures in crashes.<\/p>\n
The botched casualty had involved the private plane of Mr. Suntai,
\nwhich he was in-charge as pilot. This incidence had occurred on the
\n16th of October, 2013, when he was on his way to Yola for the Sallah
\nholiday.<\/p>\n
It was recorded of how he miraculously survived the carnage that left
\nhim and some of his aids fatally injured and of how, after several
\ndependence on domestic medical expertise, he was ferried away on
\nmedical tourism in far-away Germany for improved and a more efficient
\nattention. Through the effectiveness of the process of news
\ntransmission, also, we were inundated of the circumstances that
\nsurrounded his health: of the disorders-arising from the impact of
\nthat near-miss; the fast one he pulled out at death, of his gradual
\nrecuperation and the eventual acquisition of stability.<\/p>\n
The whole routine-design had culminated in his eventual journey back
\nhome to the apprehensive people of his state nay Nigerian; and of
\ncourse his taking back his estranged position.<\/p>\n
The dramas that ensued are now history just as the subsisting
\nsituations that exist in Taraba state have dramatically worn subtlety.
\nMany are gradually loosing sight of the reality that exists in that
\nstate, whose leadership inebriation was thrown to light. Many more
\nhave forgotten that the same cry that was raised long ago still
\nreverberates, suppressed.<\/p>\n
When Suntai was flown home after his short medical voyage abroad, many
\nwere of the view that he had regained stability and was ready to
\nresume the functions of his office. The beleaguered people of Taraba
\nstate had expressed ecstatic joy that their elected chief executive
\nwas back for good.<\/p>\n
However, that was not to be after several months; the only thing
\nhowled at the face of the citizens were political wrangling of claims
\nand counter-claims. Like a blown out fire, the issue of resumption and
\nthe excitement that attended it made a sharp recluse. The status quo
\nwas maintained; Garba held still as Acting Governor, while, as far as
\nis known, the ‘governor’ remains nondescript, neither this nor that.<\/p>\n
Lest we forget, the political headship in Taraba state is still
\nindeterminate and remains unclear. No doubt, our nation is under a
\nmore boisterous threat and dread-of Boko Haram and that of having to
\nconfront its swelling insurrection. But that on its own is merely
\nanother side in the truth that’s the cauldron of our conundrum.<\/p>\n
Hence, we must also not forget that some people, somewhere, live in a
\nstate of undefined leadership; of latent tension. The truth being that
\nthere is still a pervasive constitutional lacuna yet to be
\nappropriately filled in Taraba state and one that could serve as
\nspringboard for crisis; owing to the inherent volatility. That too
\ncalls for concern.<\/p>\n
We know the implications this could make out, though we may try to sit
\non it. No matter how we play with it and regardless of what might be
\nthe surreptitious motive that could be sought out therefrom, we should
\nnot forget that it is an injustice that is yet to be placated, a
\ngenuine raisin-d’tere for political explosives.<\/p>\n
The theatrical maneuver subtly drawn to hold down the unmitigated
\nexpression of the rule of law is making a complete disconnect of the
\nstate from the full vintage of constitutional democracy as presently
\ncherished by our country. It is one devious gimmick that has continued
\npry on and make mockery of, not only the intelligence of the people of
\nTaraba but on that of the knowledgeable citizens of this nation.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, in the midst of the mooching political jiggery-poggery
\nthat has left even the people of this state so hoodwinked, the reality
\nof the prevailing circumstance yanks open some salient questions that
\ncould not be downed. Amongst which are:<\/p>\n
1. Whether it is a scenario recognized and sanctioned by the
\nconstitution as appropriate, prudent and judicious for there to be an
\nActing Governor when, at the same time, the Governor is present, sound
\nand capable? For so we were led to believe Suntai is when he was
\nhurriedly returned home and stage-managed to make a video-clip of his
\nreadiness, just, supposedly, to subvert any attempt to
\n‘constitutionally and legally usurp his position’?<\/p>\n
2. If truly the governor is around and capable of exercising the
\nresponsibilities of his office, what has being the bottleneck
\nmitigating his rightful resumption of his legitimate office for almost
\na year of his return?<\/p>\n
3. Or is he not fully recovered as to take over his function as
\ngovernor, hence the surreptitious wait for such?<\/p>\n
4. If that be the case, why was he smuggled home at the detriment of
\nhis more important personal health?<\/p>\n
5. Or was it to beat the constitutionally stipulated time frame for
\nwhich his absence should necessitate the engineering of proceedings
\nthat would see him abdicate his office to concentrate on reviving his
\ndeprecated body?<\/p>\n
6. Even if that was the reason, of what difference is the impact since
\nfor all the while he’s being around, no significant change has been
\neffected-the status quo ante lingers.<\/p>\n
7. Should that be a clue to suggest that His Excellency is truly
\nnothing but incapable of doing what he was elected to do?<\/p>\n
8. And if so, how long will his condition subsist to stir up the
\nconstitutional requirements necessary for such state the political
\nenvironment in Taraba has become enmeshed in?<\/p>\n
9. For how long shall the deputy governor in whose head is required to
\ncontain such lacuna as reflected in the constitution, at moments like
\nthis, act?<\/p>\n
10. For how long shall the governor be, by whatsoever means, placed
\nout of office before the acting governor who, was, as a matter of fact
\nrequired to act temporarily pending the return of his boss, be
\ncertified to take over from this boss, if such condition to he’s being
\nsubjected subsists and that ipso facto, indicates the permanence of
\nhis incapacitation? Is it six months, a year?<\/p>\n
The governor’s inability to show forth, for whatsoever reason, has far
\nexceeded these limits. It has lingered beyond the constitutional
\ntimeline. It has effused a state of limbo in leadership and slowed
\ndown governance.<\/p>\n
Hence, the call becomes aptly urgent, in the interest of peace, for
\nthe Taraba State House of Assembly, the relevant quarter vested with
\nthe powers to navigate the course in comatose moments like this to do
\nthe needful; in restoring the stood-over justice to the denied party
\nand to the good people of Taraba state.<\/p>\n
Thus, if Suntai is sound to resume duty, he should, without further
\ndelay, be reinstated to his stead to continue his pact with his
\nsubjects. But, if, however, the facts on ground point to the contrary,
\nthe next apropos move should be taken, also forthwith-and that is the
\ncommencement of impeachment proceedings as stipulated in the
\nprovisions of Section 189 of the 1999 Constitution, to pave way for
\nUmar to be made the governor, in a full and substantive capacity.<\/p>\n
The mooching cannot continue; it certainly will not do our democracy
\nany good. We were all witnesses of the hues that attended the
\nincapacitation of the late Yar’adua and how the cabal had stealthily
\norchestrated their diabolic agenda of holding this nation to the
\njugular by obtruding the established process needed to transmit power
\nto a more capable hand. We have not forgotten the struggle that
\neffected the ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ which ensured that then Vice
\nPresident Goodluck Jonathan was made the Acting President. These are
\nstill fresh memories.<\/p>\n
Subsequently, and without swaying into cognitive slumber, we should
\nnot in the least be unmindful of the fact that the scene playing out
\nin Taraba is a repetition of that national tragicomedy; if not with a
\nreinforced deceit; and in such manner evoke the same resilience and
\ndefiance that exposed and eventfully whittled the craftiness of the
\nenemies of our democracy.<\/p>\n
Ahanonu Kingsley,
\nOwerri.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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