Gov Ishaku’s absence from Taraba
By Admin
Following the prolonged absence of Governor Darius Ishaku from Taraba state, government activities have been reported to have come to a standstill in the state. Media reports indicate that the governor has been away from the state for about two months. His last official outing was on December 19, 2019, when he presented the 2020 budget to the state House of Assembly. Shortly afterwards, the governor reportedly left Jalingo, the state capital, on December 22, 2019 and has since not returned. Investigations by reporters show that the governor neither handed over to his deputy, Alhaji Haruna Manu nor transmitted a letter to the state Assembly intimating the lawmakers of his absence. Many people including the opposition have reacted to the situation in Taraba state. Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Barrister Ibrahim El-Sudi, said the absence of Governor Darius Ishaku from the state for more than 55 days without giving reasons or transferring power to his deputy is an impeachable offence. “The governor left the state since December 22 last year and has not advanced reasons for his continued absence contrary to section 190 (1) of the constitution, which requires him to transmit a letter to the Speaker whenever he is going on vacation,” he observed.
El-Sudi also noted that there are things the deputy cannot do in the absence of the governor. He said the continued absence of Governor Ishaku was threatening the take-off of Mambilla hydro power project because the governor, according to him, was supposed to meet with critical stakeholders. While accusing the state assembly of failing in its responsibility to call the governor to order, El-Sudi said he would take the lawmakers and Governor Darius Ishaku to court if they fail to do the needful. However, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba state insisted that the state, in spite of the governor’s absence, is working. The party’s publicity secretary in the state, Malam Inuwa Bakari, maintained that the allegation that salaries are not being paid to workers as at when due is baseless; adding that even negotiations for the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage for civil servants have reached an advanced stage.
The governor’s spokesman, Mr Bala Abu, confirmed that the governor is operating from Abuja where he is attending to important state matters. Abu also said that the governor signed the 2020 budget into law in Abuja. “The governor is well and has been attending to state matters from Abuja. Commissioners and permanent secretaries bring files from Jalingo for the governor to sign, while his deputy has been coming to meet him here regularly”, he said.
Shortly after these claims, Mr Abu on Friday February 21, 2020 in Abuja amended his earlier claim; stating that the governor “is receiving medical treatment for a domestic accident.’’ Although he did not elaborate on the nature of the domestic accident, Abu said the governor is recuperating. He however affirmed that the governor is within the country, and therefore, had no need to hand over to his deputy.
Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Austin Alegeh (SAN) said the governor would have not breached any law if his absence is related to a working visit. Another lawyer, Frank Tietie Esq, however said the absence of the governor without any explanation is an impeachable offence under Section 188 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. He said, “It is left for members of state House of Assembly to determine whether the absence from the state has indeed affected the performance of government. The usual explanation by politicians that a governor can govern his state from anywhere is indeed idealistic, untenable. The attempt, also, to initially defend the governor’s absence with wishy-washy reasons in the face of the challenges confronting Taraba state is most unfortunate. Good governance cannot be defined by the constant trip of most departmental heads including commissioners to Abuja where they take files to the governor. Besides, the unending Tiv/Jukun communal clashes as well as the developmental crisis bedevilling Taraba state are some of the critical challenges that require Governor Ishaku’s presence in the state. Now that the governor’s sojourn in Abuja is attributed to ill-health, we advise that he restores people’s confidence in his administration and save the state from any foreseeable political impasse by resorting to provisions of the 1999 constitution.
Following the prolonged absence of Governor Darius Ishaku from Taraba state, government activities have been reported to have come to a standstill in the state. Media reports indicate that the governor has been away from the state for about two months. His last official outing was on December 19, 2019, when he presented the 2020 budget to the state House of Assembly. Shortly afterwards, the governor reportedly left Jalingo, the state capital, on December 22, 2019 and has since not returned. Investigations by reporters show that the governor neither handed over to his deputy, Alhaji Haruna Manu nor transmitted a letter to the state Assembly intimating the lawmakers of his absence. Many people including the opposition have reacted to the situation in Taraba state. Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Barrister Ibrahim El-Sudi, said the absence of Governor Darius Ishaku from the state for more than 55 days without giving reasons or transferring power to his deputy is an impeachable offence. “The governor left the state since December 22 last year and has not advanced reasons for his continued absence contrary to section 190 (1) of the constitution, which requires him to transmit a letter to the Speaker whenever he is going on vacation,” he observed.
El-Sudi also noted that there are things the deputy cannot do in the absence of the governor. He said the continued absence of Governor Ishaku was threatening the take-off of Mambilla hydro power project because the governor, according to him, was supposed to meet with critical stakeholders. While accusing the state assembly of failing in its responsibility to call the governor to order, El-Sudi said he would take the lawmakers and Governor Darius Ishaku to court if they fail to do the needful. However, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba state insisted that the state, in spite of the governor’s absence, is working. The party’s publicity secretary in the state, Malam Inuwa Bakari, maintained that the allegation that salaries are not being paid to workers as at when due is baseless; adding that even negotiations for the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage for civil servants have reached an advanced stage.
The governor’s spokesman, Mr Bala Abu, confirmed that the governor is operating from Abuja where he is attending to important state matters. Abu also said that the governor signed the 2020 budget into law in Abuja. “The governor is well and has been attending to state matters from Abuja. Commissioners and permanent secretaries bring files from Jalingo for the governor to sign, while his deputy has been coming to meet him here regularly”, he said.
Shortly after these claims, Mr Abu on Friday February 21, 2020 in Abuja amended his earlier claim; stating that the governor “is receiving medical treatment for a domestic accident.’’ Although he did not elaborate on the nature of the domestic accident, Abu said the governor is recuperating. He however affirmed that the governor is within the country, and therefore, had no need to hand over to his deputy.
Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Austin Alegeh (SAN) said the governor would have not breached any law if his absence is related to a working visit. Another lawyer, Frank Tietie Esq, however said the absence of the governor without any explanation is an impeachable offence under Section 188 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. He said, “It is left for members of state House of Assembly to determine whether the absence from the state has indeed affected the performance of government. The usual explanation by politicians that a governor can govern his state from anywhere is indeed idealistic, untenable. The attempt, also, to initially defend the governor’s absence with wishy-washy reasons in the face of the challenges confronting Taraba state is most unfortunate. Good governance cannot be defined by the constant trip of most departmental heads including commissioners to Abuja where they take files to the governor. Besides, the unending Tiv/Jukun communal clashes as well as the developmental crisis bedevilling Taraba state are some of the critical challenges that require Governor Ishaku’s presence in the state. Now that the governor’s sojourn in Abuja is attributed to ill-health, we advise that he restores people’s confidence in his administration and save the state from any foreseeable political impasse by resorting to provisions of the 1999 constitution.
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