The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) on Tuesday urged the Taraba State House of Assembly to constitute a medical panel to examine the state of health of Governor Danbaba Suntai.
This call was issued the same day members of the Taraba State House of Assembly endorsed the governor’s request to resume work based on his claim that he is now fit enough to carry on with the task of administering the state.
Making the call in reaction to plans of the governor’s return to work, CNPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osita Okechukwu stated that probing his health is in accordance with the provision of the constitution stipulating the setting up of a medical panel to determine health status of the governor.
“We thank God that the man survived the accident, but in spite of that, the constitutional provision must be strictly adhered to in such circumstance,” Osita said.
“The House of Assembly should immediately set up a medical panel to investigate the matter and to determine if Suntai is capable or incapable of carrying out his constitutional functions. If Suntai is found to be sound, for God sake, he should continue with his functions, but if incapable, he should hand over to the acting governor.”
In another reaction, Mr Yusuf Tanko, Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) said the governor’s health status must be established before any action could be taken. He added that should it be established that Suntai is unable to carry out his duties, the acting governor should take over his functions.
“It is in the interest of democracy that the Suntai’s health situation is established,” he said. “If he is found incapable, there are constitutional provision that should be followed, otherwise we will continue to put democracy in danger. The right thing should be done so that we should not be seen to be panel-beating a bad situation.”
Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Okoi Obono-Obla implored the Taraba Assembly to urgently set up a panel of medical experts to ascertain the true state of Suntai’s health. However, he conceded that the governor has the right to communicate to the assembly his readiness to resume duties.
His words: “If Suntai writes the Assembly to say he is capable of handling his responsibilities then he should be allowed to resume office. There is a problem if Suntai is still incapacitated and some people are still pushing for him to resume office. It is only an independent medical panel that can determine Suntai’s state of health.”
He observed that the assembly failed to take the appropriate action on the matter because sentiments were allowed to come into play.
Another lawyer, Max Ogar urged opponents of the governor’s resumption as governor to seek constitutional interpretation from a competent court.
“There is nothing wrong with someone who was sick and is back to say he wants to resume, but all of us saw him (Suntai),” he said.
“Indigenes of that state who are not in support of what is going on can go to court to invoke the constitutional provision which says once a governor has become incapacitated by reason of ill-health, that he can no longer discharge his duties that he ought to be made to leave office. Obviously, they will have their way because the law does not support what they are doing.”
