By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Taraba State House of Assembly on Thursday denied the allegation that it has perfected plans to replace the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, over his prolonged illness.
Hon. Nelson Len, the house committee chairman on information debunked the rumour while briefing journalists in Jalingo said the deputy governor was recuperating from the situation in a hospital in Abuja.
Our correspondent reports that a wide spread report broke out on Tuesday, alleging the state house of assembly, Governor Agbu Kefas to have perfected plans to declare the Deputy Governor incapacitated, and replace him with the state house of assembly deputy speaker, Hon. Hamman Adama.
Meanwhile, the state assembly while addressing journalists said, such plan has not existed, and the deputy governor was recuperating.
“The deputy governor Alhaji Aminu Alkali is undergoing treatment in a hospital in Abuja, and is re-cooperating. He will resume duty as soon as he is properly heal from his prolong illness.
“He needs to be giving time to fully recover to his fit to cope with both personal and official duties. Non of the three arms of government has ever thought of replacing the deputy governor, rather more efforts are been put in place to ensure he recover and resume duty”. He argued on behalf of the state assembly.
While calling on the general public to disregard the speculations against the deputy governor, Hon. Len also denied that the assembly has not nor, discuss any thing in connection to declaring the deputy governor incapacitated, and has not received any communication from the governor to that regard.
“We have not receive any medical report showing that the deputy governor’s health is deteriorating. We call on the general public to disregard all speculations concerning the health and seat of the deputy governor, Alkali,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, the Mumuye Cultural Development Association (MCDA), the immediate community of the deputy governor, in a press statement signed by its chairman Alex Malaze, thanked governor Agbu Kefas for publicly refuting the speculations.
He, however, alleged that “In every rumor there is always element of truth”.
“As leaders of the Mumuye Cultural Development Association, we wish to draw the attention of the Taraba state Government that if the seat of the deputy governor is to be declare vacant due to health condition, he should be replace with another Mumuye person for the interest of political fairness.
“We wish to unequivocally state that the current administration under Dr. Agbu Kefas was ushered in with the overwhelming support of the Mumuye people from Zing, Yorro, Lau, Jalingo, Ardo-kola, Gassol, Bali, and Gashaka LGAs, and as such, the Mumuye people should be accorded their rightful place in the governance of the state.
“An almost similar event happened here during the era of His Excellency, Late Pharmacist Danbaba Danfulani Suntai. Sen. Sani Danladi Abubakar, the then deputy governor was removed, but was replaced with his kinsman, Hon. Garba Umar (UTC) from the same tribe and local government. Our case, the Mumuye tribe should not be different,” he submitted.
