Nigerian News Beat

Taraba State governor Danbaba Suntai  who recently returned to Nigeria after 10 months  abroad, yesterday assured Nigerians that he is back to resume his political duties as he  sacked all commissioners and special advisers in the state.

Those affected include the newly-appointed secretary to the state government (SSG) Mr. Gavey Yawe and the chief of staff, Government House (Administration) Engr. Ahmed Yusuf Gamaliya.

Announcing the dissolution yesterday in Jalingo, the special assistant to the governor on media and publicity, Mr. Sylvanus Yakubu Giwa, who spoke on behalf of the governor, stated that the dissolution took immediate effect. He directed the affected officials to hand over all government property in their position to the permanent secretaries in charge of their various ministries.

He further announced the former state attorney-general and commissioner of justice, Barr. Gibon Timothy Kataps, as the new SSG while the former commissioner for information and onetime chief of staff, Government House (Administration), Mallam Aminu Jika, as the new chief of staff, Government House (Administration) respectively.

Gov. Suntai expressed gratitude to members of the state executive council for the period they served his administration and the people of the state.

He further noted that Suntai’s state of health had improved remarkably and that he would soon address both the media and people of the state.

The former Taraba AG and now SSG, Kataps, had before the dissolution of the state exco yesterday , told  journalists  in Jalingo that as far as the 1999 Constitution (as amended) was concerned, Suntai had assumed duty in the state following his return from his medical treatment abroad.

He also argued that Section 190 of the Constitution did not attach any condition to the letter transmitted from the office of governor to the House of Assembly, adding that the majority leader of the state Assembly, Hon. Joseph Albasu Kunini, and other members of the Assembly had confirmed that the letter sent to the Assembly had been received, contrary to the position held by the speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Haruna Tsokwa, who he  accused of trying to confuse the people with his misinterpretation of the constitution.