Ailing Gov Suntai Sacks Cabinet
By Ibrahim Awwal
Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai has dissolved the state executive committee NigerianEcho has been told.
This development, NigerianEcho gathered is a master stroke by the camp of the Governor that has been in a protracted power tussle with the Deputy Governor , Alhaji Garba Umar.
Suntai who returned to the Country after receiving medical attention abroad for 10 months as a result of injuries sustained in a crash has not made any public statements. A development observers say it’s a confirmation that the Governor may not be medically fit to govern the state after suffering from brain damage in the crash. The Governor returned to the Country amidst fear he is yet to recover from post traumatic brain injury especially when he could not come down from the plane that brought him to the Country but was assisted by three people and he didn’t say a word to the press. He barely waved to his supporters who had come to welcome him.
There has been speculation that the Deputy Governor may have perfected plans to take over the structure of the government as a result of the long absence of his boss. It is the fear of Umar taking over the control of the State that led to the quick return of the “ailing” Governor according to NigerianEcho sources. Umar had during Suntai’s absence allegedly orchestrated the sacking of principal officers of the state legislature. He had followed up in July by sacking 11 top appointees of his boss.
The governor’s return, according to our sources was to checkmate his deputy even though there are indications that he may not have regained his consciousness.
The sack of the cabinet has added some flesh to the speculation as no reason was given for the sack of the State Executive Council by a Governor who returned to the Country few days ago and who has not been seen making public statements.
The Governor has appointed Aminu Jika as the Chief of Staff while the immediate past Attorney General, Barrister Gebon Timothy Kataps, is said to be the new Secretary to The State Government as announced by chief Sylvanus Giwa the senior special assistant to the Governor.