Government activities in Taraba are suffering, following the prolonged absence of the governor, Darius Ishaku, from the state. The governor, our correspondent, gathered 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 after the presentation, it was learnt that on December 22, 2019, the governor left Jalingo, the state capital and has since not returned.

The governor did not hand over to his deputy, Alhaji Haruna Manu. He also did not transmit a letter to the state Assembly intimating the lawmakers of his absence. Our findings revealed that between December 19, 2019 and now, only two State Executive Council meetings have held. Also, no new project is ongoing in Jalingo, even as officials of state claim that many contracts were awarded in the absence of the governor, but did not say by whom.

Many people in the state including the opposition have expressed concern over the governor’s absence. It is an impeachable offence – APC 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 55 days without giving reasons or transferring power to his deputy was 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,” El-Sudi said. He said the absence of the governor without transmitting power to his deputy has led to stagnation in government business. “We are not happy or comfortable that we don’t have a governor now because there are things the deputy cannot do in the absence of the governor.

“Everything is now at a standstill in the state; activities at the ministries have come to a halt’’, he said. El-Sudi also said the continued absence of Governor Ishaku was threatening the take-off of Mambilla hydro power project as according to him, the governor was supposed to meet with critical stakeholders to that effect.

While accusing the state assembly of failing in its responsibility to call the governor to order, he said if the lawmakers fail to do the needful, he would take them and Governor Darius Ishaku to court. Some APC chieftains in the state also alleged that the absence of the governor had dampened the morale of workers as ministries were deserted.

Source:- Daily Trust

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